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Phoenix to consider adding homeless outreach team on light rail

Posted at 4:45 AM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 08:57:41-05

A Phoenix city council subcommittee will decide Tuesday whether plans to create a homeless outreach team on and around the light rail will move forward. 

Two outreach professionals would offer housing and medical resources to homeless people on trains and platforms throughout Phoenix, according to Lars Jacoby with the city's public transit department. The team would cost the city $125,000 per year. 

"Our mission here is to always make sure that our transit services are safe and inviting for everybody," he said.

If approved, the team would work under the newly created PHX C.A.R.E.S. homeless initiative, with services citywide. 

This latest proposal follows other efforts this year to improve comfort, safety and security on the Phoenix portion of the light rail system. City council already approved $600,000 to beef up policing by the Transit Enforcement Unit after a spike in crime at light rail platforms along 19th Avenue.