San Diego MTS looking to expand security for trolley and bus riders

By Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO — Even before two men died following attacks six days apart at trolley platforms last month, Metropolitan Transit System officials already were looking at increasing security staffing.

The transit agency began exploring security upgrades after a 2022 customer survey of riders indicated high interest in improving safety and making riders feel more secure. In July, the board reviewed several broad options, ranging from hiring more code compliance inspectors and contract security officers to forming a stand-alone transit police force or contracting with the Sheriff's Department.

No decisions have been made, but the transit board plans to review a proposal to increase security staffing at its meeting Thursday, said MTS spokesperson Mark Olson.

He attributed the deaths of two people following attacks on trolley platforms in late August to "random acts of violence" stemming from verbal arguments that escalated, Olson said in an email. "They could have occurred in any location and are indicative of the types of behavior that are experienced (in) large cities across the country."

The first deadly encounter occurred around noon on Aug. 18 at a La Mesa trolley station when Christopher Carrera, 62, suffered a head injury after being punched by another man, causing him to fall at the La Mesa Boulevard station, according to La Mesa police.

Officers arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of murder after the victim died five days later, on Aug. 23.

In the second incident, a 70-year-old man, Michael Goodin of San Diego, died after being stabbed at a trolley station in Barrio Logan on Aug. 24.

Police said Goodin had gotten into an argument with a group of people shortly before 10:30 p.m. that escalated into a fight at the station, located on Harbor Drive south of Cesar Chavez Parkway. He was found beaten and stabbed and was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

San Diego police have arrested two people in connection with the attack.

Olson said that when such incidents occur, MTS staff members work closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend the suspects involved.

MTS currently employs 62 code compliance inspectors, who ride the trolleys in pairs to conduct fare inspections and assist passengers, and who are authorized to issue citations. The agency also pays for 200 contract security officers — some of whom are armed — provided by Inter-Con. Those officers ride the trolleys and work at assigned fixed locations.

The agency also has a bus enforcement support team, a canine unit, a homeless outreach officer and a passenger safety team who try to address quality-of-life issues that otherwise would be unreported.

According to crime statistics released by MTS, reported trolley crimes increased over a four-year period from 2017 to 2021, the last year that official figures were released. Data for 2022 is expected to be available in late September.

The 2022 stats will show at least one homicide: On Jan. 1, 2022, 68-year-old Martin Andara of Santee got off the trolley at the Old Town station and was waiting for a bus when another man pushed him in front of an oncoming train, killing him. Days later, police arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the case, which San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit at the time called "a completely senseless, horrific, unprovoked attack."

In 2017, 91 "trolley crimes" were reported, including 40 larcenies or thefts, 19 motor vehicle thefts, 16 aggravated assaults, nine robberies, six arsons and one burglary, according to MTS. The data includes incidents reported on MTS property, at stations as well as park and ride facilities.

In 2020, 125 crimes were reported and in 2021, that number jumped to 240, including one homicide.

The spike in reported incidents that occurred between 2020 and 2021 reflects a change made in collecting data, Olson said.

Before 2021, MTS only counted incidents in which a police report was filed. The agency now counts all incidents that MTS personnel respond to, regardless of whether a police report is filed. In some cases MTS officials are not able to "fully determine if the incident meets all the elements of a crime" but it is reported anyway, Olson said.

"We believe it is still better to record the incident so that we can make better decisions when deploying our personnel," he said.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

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