METRO Police Chief addresses committee on safety meeting after deadly bus shooting

Houston METRO talks safety after deadly bus shooting

METRO Police Chief Ban Tien addressed the agency’s Public Safety Committee just a week after a fatal shooting on the transit system. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle gives a rundown of the committee meeting.

HOUSTON - METRO Police Chief Ban Tien defended the agency’s safety record and unveiled a "hotspot" strategy Wednesday, just one week after a fatal shooting on a city bus sparked renewed fears over transit violence.

The presentation to METRO’s Public Safety Committee was the first since the Jan. 7 shooting that left one woman dead and a teenager wounded. Tien, a former HPD Assistant Chief who took the helm in late 2024, acknowledged the tragedy and emphasized the statistics of violent crime that may happen on the system.

The "Hotspot" Strategy

What they're saying:

While addressing the committee, Chief Tien was candid about the limitations of law enforcement in a city the size of Houston.

"Do I have enough resources to ride every bus and be on every corner? Absolutely not," Tien said. "But what I can do is find where those key locations are... those hotspots... and put resources where it's most needed."

Mapping data presented Wednesday identified Downtown Houston and North Houston as some primary areas requiring beefed-up enforcement or measures. While "Group B" offenses are trending down, Tien noted a slight uptick in assaults between November and December 2025, which he attributed to rising ridership.

A portion of Chief Ban Tien's presentation at Wednesday's METRO Safety Committee meeting.

New Security Contract Proposed

Big picture view:

To combat these trends, METRO Security Manager Domingo Juarez proposed a new three-year contract with Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. This contract represents a significant upgrade in "size and scope" compared to current security measures:

Guards will now be required to hold a Level 3 security license, moving beyond entry-level requirements. 

Santiago Osorio, METRO’s EVP of Safety, confirmed these guards will be stationed at transit centers rather than on the buses themselves. Osorio noted that while guards secure the stations, the agency believes sworn officers are "more beneficial" for onboard patrols.

"Everything that we can do to place safety measures in is very important," said Rev. T. Leon Preston, First Vice-Chair, noting the agency was forced to react to an "unexpected shooting."

Data vs. Perception

By the numbers:

Tien highlighted that technology remains a good force multiplier for the department. Onboard surveillance cameras were the primary tool used to arrest the Jan. 7 shooting suspects in just over 24 hours.

The Chief also pushed back against the narrative that the system is inherently dangerous, citing December’s data:

• 5.9 million total riders used METRO services in December.
• 2 out of every 100,000 riders were impacted by "Group A" (serious) assaults.

Looking Forward

What's next:

Tien teased upcoming tools that will allow the department to deploy mobile "station-type" assets to problematic areas in collaboration with community partners.

"I don't want to over-promise or over-telegraph," Tien told FOX 26, "but you’re going to see some cool capabilities coming in."

Despite the public's recent response to the Jan. 7 shooting, there was no public comment regarding crime concerns made during Wednesday’s session.

Security Enhancements and Coordinated Patrols

Dig deeper:

In a statement provided ahead of the meeting, METRO officials detailed "actionable changes" already implemented. Since November 2025, METRO Police (MPD) has partnered with the Houston Police Department and Harris County law enforcement to increase presence on METRORail during peak hours. Officials say this initiative is now being expanded to bus routes.

To decrease response times, MPD has opened satellite stations at the Northline and Wheeler transit centers, with two more planned for Harrisburg and Fannin.