Santa Monica Police Will Patrol Expo Line Stations
The city will partner with Metro to enforce safety and fare compliance across local rail platforms by mid-2027.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Do you support having local police officers patrol public transit stations in your area?
Santa Monica and Metro are finalizing an agreement that will authorize local police to patrol the three city Expo line stations. This partnership aims to address local quality-of-life concerns through increased security presence and coordinated fare enforcement.
Why it matters
City officials are working to minimize vandalism and improve transit safety for riders at the terminus of the Metro rail line. The initiative connects public safety operations with care-based services to support transit users.
The agreement empowers police to ride trains, patrol platforms, and remove riders lacking valid fares. Metro plans to install 7-foot reinforced fare gates at all three Santa Monica stations to further deter fare evasion.
The players
Santa Monica Police Department
The local agency responsible for law enforcement operations that will now expand its jurisdiction to include Expo line transit platforms.
Metro
The regional transportation authority managing the transit network and overseeing the installation of reinforced fare gate infrastructure.
The details
Santa Monica Police will work with Metro to enforce the transit agency's Code of Conduct while maintaining local discretion over officer deployment. Officers will also focus on connecting individuals in need with support services during their shifts at the rail platforms.
Timeline
March 2025: Metro began installing 7-foot fare gates.
May 2025: SMPD conducted a crime suppression operation at the 4th Street station.
September 23, 2026: City officials announced the pending police patrol agreement.
Mid-2027: Metro will complete installation of fare gates in Santa Monica.
Legal Context
This agreement follows a pattern set by the performance data established by the Firestone and Lake station fare gate incident reduction program. The city is leveraging empirical results from existing Metro infrastructure to justify expanding local police authority onto transit property.
Transit riders in Santa Monica can expect a more visible police presence at Expo line stations once the agreement is fully implemented. The installation of 7-foot gates will also change entry requirements for passengers accessing the rail system.
The takeaway
Increased coordination between local police and regional transit authorities aims to improve daily station security for commuters. Residents should expect stricter fare enforcement as the city prepares for the full deployment of reinforced gate technology by 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local initiatives, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Live Poll
Do you support having local police officers patrol public transit stations in your area?
