The Los Angeles Police Department is fielding criticism after a bus driver reported being attacked with bottles and claimed the police failed to respond. In a statement released, the LAPD said they were troubled by the allegations and had conducted an investigation into the matter. According to the posted statement, the department confirmed that officers were indeed dispatched to the incident but were also handling a concurrent high-priority call involving a child kidnapping when the bus driver's complaint was made.
The Los Angeles Police Department is troubled to learn of an incident described by a bus driver, where a suspect was throwing bottles at her bus and alleges officers did not respond. (1/4)
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) May 31, 2024
The department explained that the call had to be triaged alongside other emergencies, including the kidnapping situation. The LAPD is now looking to seriously re-evaluate the protocols it has in place for such cases. "The Department has investigated this incident and has determined that procedures and protocol were followed for responding to this call as it is was triaged among the various other calls at that same time," the statement said. The bus driver's distressing encounter has become a glaring spotlight, compelling the LAPD to possibly rethink how to better prioritize similar calls in the future.
This incident has sparked a broader examination by the Los Angeles Police Department, not only of this event but others involving public transit operators. "Taking this incident into consideration among other incidents with buses and bus drivers, the Los Angeles Police Department is examining these protocols to determine if improvements can be made in the prioritization process," continued the statement from the LAPD. The review aims to refine how incidents are classified and addressed based on urgency and public safety.
Through the reassessment, the department aims to ensure the safety of those like the bus driver who faced the alleged assault. "We support our bus drivers as they support the daily activities of Angelinos making the city thrive," the statement concluded, reflecting an intention to fully safeguard the individuals responsible for keeping the city's pulse. The recent event has highlighted the need for a responsive and adaptable policing system capable to rapidly adjust to the needs of a dynamic urban environment such as Los Angeles.
