LA Metro continues to make life hard for fare evaders
Metro is moving forward with its crackdown on fare evaders by installing new taller faregates.
The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority formally approved funding for the measure to upgrade existing gated stations with taller gates in February.
'Taller faregates have features such as precise motion sensors that can accurately detect fare evasion behaviors, such as 'tailgating,' crawling under and climbing over, as well as electromechanical locks to prevent forced entries and paddle-style doors that improve accessibility for customers with bicycles, luggage or other items,' the Metro Board said in their report on the issue in February. 'The taller faregates also have large color-coded displays to alert personnel of fare evasion attempts [and] these gates offer potential integration with third-party advanced security solutions, such as enhanced camera detection for weapons or other threats.'
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The gates were originally piloted at the soon-to-be-completed LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, which was 'proceeding as planned,' according to Metro's report. Thus, officials decided that the technology should be implemented at ten existing stations, and a further 11 had the new gates installed as part of Phase 2 of the project.
The stations that received the taller fare gates are:
Lake (A Line)
Firestone (A Line)
Pershing Square (B/D lines)
7th Street/Metro Center (A/B/D/E/J lines)
Westlake/MacArthur Park (B/D lines)
Wilshire/Vermont (B/D lines)
Vermont/Santa Monica (B Line)
Hollywood/Western (B Line)
North Hollywood (B/G lines)
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks (A/C lines)
Mariachi Plaza (E Line)
Harbor Freeway (C/J lines)
Aviation/LAX (K Line)
Vermont/Athens (C Line)
Del Amo (A Line)
Civic Center/Grand Park (B/D lines)
Compton (A Line)
Slauson (A Line)
Expo/La Brea (E Line)
Avalon (C Line)
Long Beach Blvd. (A Line)
The stations were selected based on data showing they have experienced 'significant' fare evasion and misuse of emergency swing gates, officials explained.
'As Metro continues to improve the station experience, taller faregates can be integrated into station redesigns, complementing current initiatives such as TAP to exit, improved signage and passenger flow enhancements,' Metro said. 'Taller faregates can improve safety and security for Metro customers and employees while encouraging fare compliance.'
Some of the new gates had already been installed and were being tested late last year; Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who serves on the Metro Board, posted a video of her using the new technology in December.
'I'm thrilled Metro is piloting new hardened gate technology,' her post to X said. 'These taller gates are designed to reduce fare evasion and enhance access control. It's another step in Metro's commitment to improving safety.'
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With the new gates come three new non-contract full-time equivalent positions for maintaining them: a supervising engineer, a senior engineer and a principal software engineer. The positions will assist in the third-party integration of the gates and support future projects.
The project will cost a total of $15.3 million and is being funded by Proposition C.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
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Houston METRO police officer arrested in child sex crime sting
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After authorities conducted a search in a law enforcement database for the name of Gabriel Thomas Slusher, they obtained his address, date of birth, and past addresses; investigators were also able to obtain Slusher's Texas driver's license photo. Dig deeper In light of these allegations, No Trafficking Zone encourages community awareness by offering resources on signs of grooming that minors and parents should be aware of. Recognizing grooming signs for sex trafficking can be crucial for intervention. Some common signs include: Isolation: The trafficker may isolate the victim from family, friends, or community support. Control: They might exert control over the victim's finances, identification documents, or movements. Exploitation: The trafficker may exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, homelessness, or past trauma. Gifts and Favors: Offering gifts, attention, or promises of a better life as a means of manipulation. Relationship Development: Building a relationship based on trust and emotional dependence before introducing exploitative activities. Predatory behaviors and tactics are methods used by individuals to exploit others for personal gain, often at the expense of the victim's well-being. Some common predatory behaviors and tactics include: Grooming: Establishing trust and rapport with the victim to manipulate and control them over time. Isolation: Physically or emotionally isolating the victim from their support network, making them more vulnerable and dependent. Manipulation: Using emotional manipulation, flattery, or coercion to persuade the victim into compliance. Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: Identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities such as financial difficulties, emotional instability, or past trauma. Deception: Lying or misrepresenting intentions or circumstances to gain the victim's trust or compliance. Intimidation: Using threats, aggression, or violence to instill fear and compliance in the victim. Gaslighting: Manipulating the victim into doubting their own perceptions, memory, or sanity, which makes them easier to control. Control of Information: Limiting the victim's access to information or controlling the narrative to maintain power and control. These behaviors and tactics are often used by predators in various contexts, including, but not limited to, online grooming, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and financial scams. Recognizing these signs is essential for protecting oneself and others from exploitation and harm. These signs, among others, could indicate potential grooming for sex trafficking. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, it's essential to report it to the authorities or a trusted organization for assistance. What they're saying Jacquelyn Aluotto is the Co-Founder and President of No Trafficking Zone, and she told FOX 26 this case is deeply disturbing. "Whenever you see cases like this of online solicitation or someone try to buy a child. It's always disturbing but when you see that it's an officer that people trust, it becomes even more disturbing because you start to understand that predators are everywhere," Aluotto said. "We see predators preying it is their job. We like to tell parents to monitor their children's phones. A lot of the time these kids don't know when they're being groomed, recruited, or lured through an internet chat." What you can do Anyone with information related to this case or the online exploitation of children is urged to contact the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office ICAC Division at (936) 539-7800 or Crime Stoppers. The Source FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia obtained the arrest warrant affidavit for Gabriel Slusher.
