Metro plans to pair mental health experts with transit police and operating staff to respond to emergencies where extra support is needed. The new public safety initiative announced Wednesday aims to provide the appropriate response to a mental health crisis as well as connect individuals to community resources.

The transit agency’s move to hire crisis intervention specialists who are trained in mental health awareness and de-escalation methods comes during a time of increased mental health crisis calls. The Metro Transit Police Department reports a 40 percent jump in people in need of mental health assistance during the pandemic.

Experts have recommended moving away from police as first responders, citing incidents where law enforcement exacerbates incidents because they are not trained to respond to a mental health crisis. A few transit agencies elsewhere have already piloted programs similar to Metro’s new initiative. D.C. piloted a program where the city sent behavioral health experts to respond to certain 911 calls, as has Alexandria.

The initiative also comes at a time where there’s general apprehension to return to public transit. Crime has become one of the top concerns among customers, Metro has said. Metro described the hiring of crisis intervention specialists as part of an overall strategy to support community safety.

“We’ve been listening to customers over the past two months, and it’s clear that a better, safer customer experience is paramount to rebuilding ridership and customer trust,” says Metro General Manager Randy Clarke in a statement. “The steps we are taking are part of a larger framework that enhances the work MTPD is already implementing to improve Metro daily.”

Clarke is referencing the transit police’s efforts to deter crime. The Metro Transit Police Department has recently increased the visibility of its officers on rail and bus as well as launched an education campaign. Transit police has 468 sworn police officers, 140 security special police, and 101 civilian personnel.

Overall crime is up 38% this year compared to last, according to an August report from Metro. Crime had been trending downward between 2017 and 2021. But aggrevated assaults reached a five-year high last year, at 183.

Transit workers feel the effects of increased crime. The injury rate for Metrorail employees is 3.7 per 100 people, and 13 per 100 people for Metrobus employees, according to Metro’s chief safety officer, and assaults and threats are the most common injury.

A Metro spokesperson tells DCist/WAMU that the number of crisis intervention specialist hires has yet to be determined but the agency encourages all interested applicants to visit the career website.  A press release says Metro is interested in hiring several people, so the new civilian role could join transit police or operating staff in responding to customers with mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities.