Officials advocate for enhanced security and community support following fatal attack on transit operator.

On Nov. 21 the council approved a set of budget-related bills: a change in short‑term rental tax revenue use, a package raising SDCI permitting fees (cited as an average 18% increase) to cover an $8 million gap, and an expansion allowing transit-security uses for a transportation benefit district measure; votes varied and several members voiced concerns about impacts on small projects and voter intent.

Councilmembers debated a proposed three‑year lease for the downtown police substation — raising concerns that the facility is not consistently open to the public and that online directions telling people to 'call 911' could create a false sense of security — then voted to forward the lease to the Jan. 6 consent agenda.

Council members honor Sean's legacy while emphasizing the need for improved transit security.

Metro Transit and Metropolitan Council staff reported improved rider perceptions of safety (noting gains compared with 2023–24), a decline in riders reporting seeing drug use, increases in officer-initiated activity and onboard presence, and plans to expand beats, bus onboard teams and coordinated homeless outreach as the system prepares for the Green Line Extension.

Metro Transit presented quarterly progress on its 43-item Safety and Security Action Plan, describing expanded non‑sworn trip agents, supplemental security contracts, growth in transit police staffing and community-based intervention pilots such as the "Safe and Strong" University Avenue effort.

The first seven months of 2025 have seen a significant decrease in both violent crimes and property crimes compared to the same period last year.

MAPA staff reported a month-to-month increase in incidents including public intoxication, verbal and physical assaults, and a driver threatened by a passenger who claimed to have a gun. Staff proposed additional security hours in the 2027 budget, a mobile response patrol from Signal Security, and discussions with legislators to make assault on a transit employee a class C felony.

Senator Matera questions $35 million spent on out-of-state security for toll enforcement.

WeGo seeks approval for $750K security program build out and operational frameworks.

Board approves $1.15M agreement for transit policing unit deployment and security plan.

Council approved a staff-recommended draft RTA Next transit safety and security funding plan and directed staff to prioritize operator safety measures, a transit ambassador pilot, barrier testing and quarterly reporting. The plan proposes roughly $2.15 million annually from RTA Next for the city.