PATCO’s uniformed Transit Ambassadors provide a presence in the stations, parking lots, concourses, and on the trains primarily in the evening hours. The Met Council plans to try again. Besides enforcing fares, they would deal with minor incidents so police can focus on more serious crime. Non-sworn staff act as force multipliers, deterring and reducing crime by “projecting authority” and by putting more eyes and ears on vehicles and platforms, they found. As part of the trip, the senior ambassadors would also give a presentation about the agency and program. The eyes-and-ears campaign could also add non-uniformed transit ambassadors, who are now used for customer assistance and crowd control during large events. In a letter written by Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle in response to concerns about equity raised by transit staff members, transit agents are still envisioned as a means toward increasing security without increasing the inequitable treatment of people of color. Steve CramerPolice officers, however, are a radio call away if civilian ambassadors get into a situation they can’t safely handle. The study was produced after the COVID-19 crisis had closed large sections of the economy and significantly reduced transit service and ridership but before the homicide of George Floyd, which widely affected public and political attitudes toward policing. This program is very flexible and customizable. “That no longer fits where we are in our history,” he said. Now the future of the transit safety initiatives in the Twin Cities is unclear. We’re in this together. Remember to wear a face covering while you're riding, on a … Crime on light rail, buses was increasing before ridership dropped during pandemic. Sometimes the agencies will remind the youth of Metro Transit’s Code of Conduct, in other instances, MAD DADS and A… “What are they going to do if and when they’re challenged?” said Schulz, professor emerita at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. Yet Schroeer said he didn’t think the conclusions would be that different had it been written after Floyd’s death. Unlike what Metro Transit might be planning, however, they have no enforcement authority. Eight of our favorites: Minnesota teams and athletes send holiday greetings. “Other agencies, with the same goals as ours, have faced similar decisions about how best to size and use their police forces,” Schroeer and Bailey concluded. Bitter Minnesota wind chills follow blizzard; 8.7" at MSP, Where are the COVID-19 cases in Minnesota? “It already came out of a set of questions which we are now asking with renewed and legitimately more urgency,” he said. Senior Ambassador Program Transit ambassadors, support for homeless also part of plan to stem crimes. “Police can police more and the ambassadors can be the eyes and ears of the transit system,” said Will Schroeer, the group’s executive director. Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra said, “More investment in social services is absolutely needed, but this should not come at the expense of other important investments in transit safety.”. All Sound Transit employees will be serving as ambassadors during Connect 2020, which starts Jan. 4. learn about all our free newsletter options, How an effort to address Metro Transit safety got left behind at the Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota election officials worry about shortage of poll workers during COVID-19 pandemic, How one Minnesota county managed to limit the impact of a second wave of COVID-19, The feds just announced over $400 million for rural broadband in Minnesota — three quarters of it is going to one small company with limited fiber optic experience, Comparing Minnesota’s COVID-19 death rate to rest of the country and the world, What you need to know about Minnesota’s plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, Why one Minnesota district decided to keep elementary students in school, even as COVID-19 cases climb across the state, Line 3: The time for delays and obstruction is over, GOP Sen. Relph remembered for work on mental health issues, In 2020, facades and monuments keep falling, Unsettling narratives: Advancing genocide education in Minnesota, State plans to suspend liquor licenses of three more restaurants for defying COVID rules. By 2023, Metro Transit would hire 90 transit ambassadors. Torrance Transit also invited seniors to take free field trips to some of the places its system went, such as Los Angeles' Union Station and nearby Olvera Street and the local farmer's market. Does using staff who aren’t law enforcement officers — sometimes called transit ambassadors — reduce evasion and behaviors such as smoking and rowdiness on transit? Senior Ambassadors are currently available to offer one-on-one training to any new rider who is a senior. Less serious crimes, such as fraud and vandalism, increased 105% in January and 88% in February. Transit ridership dropped precipitously when the pandemic hit, but before then, crime continued to rise on Twin Cities trains and buses. Metro Transit currently issues a warning the first time a rider is not able to show proof of payment. Using civilians to aid or even replace law enforcement is an experiment that Minneapolis and cities nationwide are considering following Floyd’s killing by police. “We were struck by the consistency of what we heard from security personnel across the country and its consistency with findings from earlier national research on best practices.”. “How do we have an official presence on transit and what jobs do we need done by that official presence and who should do them? Schroeer said his conversations with DID leaders showed that they think the area is safer due to the presence of police and non-police. A report commissioned by East Metro Strong found that using non-police staff on buses and trains to deal with fare evasions and minor misbehavior has produced “genuine safety benefits” in other cities around the country. Sound Transit will change its fare enforcement on light-rail and Sounder commuter trains. They also looked at policies in Snohomish County north of Seattle, Dallas, Boston, San Diego, Buffalo, Denver, Philadelphia and Portland. “We were struck by the consistency of what we heard from security personnel across the country and its consistency with findings from earlier national research on best practices.”. PATCO Transit Ambassadors. MinnPost | P.O. Transit Ambassadors wear bright red polo shirts, sweaters, or jackets with T logos and can be found at stations throughout the system. “The need for [ambassadors] on transit is even more now,” said Schroeer. One man's struggle reflects state's loss of 5,000 to COVID, U.S. to require negative COVID test from U.K. travelers, American Legion vexed by Richfield's moratorium on development, Downtown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline, One man killed in shooting near south Minneapolis light rail station, Ax-wielding man attacks Sen. John Hoeven's downtown Fargo office, Live: Vikings-Saints updates, pregame news and highlights. Metro Transit safety measures pitched at the state Legislature to use unarmed ambassadors languished once the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Floyd’s death prompted civil unrest across the country. Earlier this month, state lawmakers filed a bill that would enlist uniformed ambassadors to be the "eyes and ears" aboard transit vehicles and change how fare evasion is penalized. Tim WalzAfter the homicide of George Floyd, House DFL sponsors dropped their support for any law enforcement response, though Gov. Crime on light rail, buses was increasing before ridership dropped during pandemic. Serious crime, including theft, robbery and aggravated assault, increased 27% in January and 13% in February, when compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by Metro Transit. He also supports banning transit passengers who don’t pay fines for nonpayment of fares or who commit more serious crimes on buses and trains. “People will feel more comfortable, and ridership would improve.”. The concept of using non-transit police staff on buses and trains was part of legislation proposed by both DFLers and some Republicans in the Minnesota House as a response to increased serious crime as well as lesser offenses like fare evasion, fighting, harassment, smoking and amplified music. Do people who oversee transit security in other cities think they’re a good idea? You can also learn about all our free newsletter options. In addition, outreach is extended to communities with access to Metro’s transit system. New riders interested in personalized training in the form of an actual outing on the city bus, can contact Mountain Metro to get connected with an Ambassador. The most prominent idea involved deploying unarmed ambassadors to collect fares, connect passengers experiencing homelessness or mental illness with social services, and tamp down smoking and drinking aboard Metro Transit vehicles. Turns out ‘ambassadors’ would make Metro Transit trains and buses safer. A slimmed-down proposal pitched in June’s special session that decriminalized fare evasion and embraced transit ambassadors foundered. MCE’s programs enhance transit safety through informative and site-specific presentations, Rail Safety Orientation Tours, participation at community events, deployment of Rail Safety Ambassadors, and outreach to the older adult community. That includes examining ways to scale back policing in favor of social workers and mental health professionals, as well as unarmed "transit ambassadors," … Metro Transit ambassadors, other safety measures languish at Capitol. Such personnel is also usually cheaper to hire and train than police officers. The Met Council plans to try again. Such personnel is also usually cheaper to hire and train than police officers. Nearly half of secondary students failed a class while in distance learning. While the plan also included increases in traditional law enforcement and enhanced video security, it was less focused on increased police and enforcement than a plan originally put forward by the GOP. The ambassador concept was part of legislation proposed by both DFLers and some Republicans in the Minnesota House as a response to increased serious crime as well as lesser offenses like fare evasion, fighting, harassment, smoking and amplified music. That issue, however, did not make the cut for the very limited agenda in a second special session that concluded earlier this week, and a proposal for a small supplemental budget (which didn’t pass anyway) no longer contained money and legal authorization for the program. By Peter ... Minneapolis police inspector Eddie Frizell and Metro Transit interim chief A.J. In a letter written by Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle in response to concerns about equity raised by transit staff members, transit agents are still envisioned as a means toward increasing security without increasing the inequitable treatment of people of color. An annual trek to Mankato to remember tribal members who were executed following the U.S.-Dakota war has been officially canceled due to the coronavirus, although a small group of horseback riders is making the journey anyway. Transportation reporter Janet Moore covers trains, planes, automobiles, buses, bikes and pedestrians. The most familiar example of the concept is the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District’s brightly-clad ambassadors, a program that was introduced in 2009. 2. 2. The Metropolitan Council, which operates Metro Transit, has said only 3% of passengers cited for fare evasion pay the fine. “It sounds good, but you may be putting people at risk because you’re asking them to wield certain authority with no support to back it up.”. Tabke worked with Rep. Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, on an early proposal that called for the creation of transit ambassadors (or agents, as some call them) and also would have changed fare evasion to an administrative citation with an initial fine of $35, compared with $180 now. Gov. But they were struck by the consistency of the responses they received from transit agency staffers they spoke with, which often boiled down to: A. dding non-sworn or non-police staff lets police focus on policing. What we heard from these other agencies was: We should have police on transit — there is a need for that and a role for that — and there are also other jobs that don’t need police to do them and are better done by people who are not police,” he said. Classify fare non-payment as a petty misdemeanor to allow such non-sworn staff to enforce fare policy.”. 164 Transit Ambassador jobs available on Indeed.com. Classify fare non-payment as a petty misdemeanor to allow such non-sworn staff to enforce fare policy.”, legislation proposed by both DFLers and some Republicans in the Minnesota House. Apply to Ambassador, Community Liaison, Practice Manager and more! After the homicide of George Floyd, House DFL sponsors dropped their support for any law enforcement response, though Gov. KOCHI (Metro Rail News): A nine-member delegation comprising French, German and European Union Ambassadors visited Kochi on Saturday. The New Year will bring an important, new change for Metro Transit customers. The delegation visited Kochi Metro Rail Limited’s Water Metro construction sites, the Operation Command and Control Centre at Muttom and also the Water Metro’s boats being built at the Cochin Shipyard. “Nobody really feels a lot safer with a lot of police around,” he said. Still, the issue of security on trains and buses wasn’t going away, nor was the debate over how best to respond. Thank you to Citizens for Modern Transit, St. Clair County Transit District, St. Louis County Police Department and our Metro Transit Ambassadors for greeting riders and handing out masks today! Steve Cramer, the president and CEO of Minneapolis Downtown Council, which runs the Downtown Improvement District, said the association is pleased with the campaign and has renewed its contract with the company that hires, trains and manages the ambassadors. “Beginning with the 2019 legislative session, we advocated for the ability to shift away from having only sworn officers checking fares and to create an administrative citation, both the change who is enforcing fares and to reduce both the cost and impact by removing the criminal penalty,” Zelle wrote. Member donations are crucial to the work of our nonprofit newsroom. “We learned that it was not a feel-good (response), that it had genuine safety benefits for all kinds of good reasons,” Schroeer said. “People have been extraordinarily cooperative with Metro Transit’s request to not ride if you’re not essential. Our reporters are only able to do their work thanks to support at all levels. Follow him on Twitter or email him at pcallaghan(at)minnpost(dot)com. The March MetroBus service change impacts 48 MetroBus routes in the Bi-State area, and includes the introduction of nine new MetroBus routes. A safe transit system, Koznick said, is even more critical to passengers and small businesses in neighborhoods damaged during protests. “Being able to issue citations is something that we don’t do.”. Do they replace transit police or assist them? The Metro Transit Police Department partners with two well-respected and established youth services organizations in the Twin Cities, MAD DADS of Minneapolis and the Hallie Q. Dorothy Schulz, a retired captain of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Police Department in New York, said she’s “not a great believer” in the concept of unarmed transit ambassadors. Does using staff who aren’t law enforcement officers — sometimes called transit ambassadors — reduce evasion and behaviors such as smoking and rowdiness on transit? Box 18438 | Minneapolis, MN 55418 | 612.455.6950. The $3.5 million project normally has 75-80 people working the 120-block downtown area in the summer. Sixteen former Metro bus drivers are among the first cohort of Ambassadors and are now serving their community in a new way. Brown Community Ambassadors program. While the plan also included increases in traditional law enforcement and enhanced video security, it was less focused on increased police and enforcement than a plan originally put forward by the GOP. Tim Walz continued to advocate for the Met Council, which oversees Metro Transit, to use new funds for transit agents, security cameras and policing. Add a substantial number of non-sworn staff as an important part of creating a safe, comfortable, welcoming experience for all Minnesotans and visitors using transit. It requires a certain set of skills that combine enforcement and social work. It was a unique platform created to bring all denizens of Hyderabad to be completely involved with Hyderabad Metro Rail Project. Officials say Dane County has secured a six-month extension of a program linking local growers with food pantries that was set to expire at the end of this year. But that failed, too. The experience left supporters frustrated, but even more determined to keep trying — perhaps next year. Use it as is "off the shelf," or modify it to meet your specific implementation objectives. Do they replace transit police or assist them? Non-sworn staff act as force multipliers, deterring and reducing crime by “projecting authority” and by putting more eyes and ears on vehicles and platforms, they found. Metro Transit offers a wide variety of … Workplace Commuter Ambassadors Workplace Commute Ambassador Our Workplace Commute Ambassador (WCA) program helps employees in the northwest metro region to encourage their co-workers to choose sustainable transportation options, such as carpooling, riding transit, bicycling, vanpooling, teleworking and walking. Koznick favors stepped-up monitoring of light-rail trains and stations, with live-feed security cameras and public address systems to suss out crimes in real time. Our diverse community and expanding economy depend on us to help get people where they need to be. Months before George Floyd’s death, debate stewed at the Capitol over new ways to deter rising crime on the region’s trains and buses — and it didn’t involve the police. Backers, in turn, compared them to the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District’s neon-shirted ambassadors who do help tourists but also de-escalate problems and call in city police when needed. “We were talking about a different public safety model that’s very much in the news now, shifting tasks not necessarily appropriate for officers,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, noting it is an “important and urgent conversation.”. “Other agencies, with the same goals as ours, have faced similar decisions about how best to size and use their police forces,” Schroeer and Bailey concluded. Schulz does support ambassadors checking passengers for fares, because it would help free up police to work on more serious crimes. Authorities say one man was shot and killed Thursday afternoon after a confrontation at a light rail station in Minneapolis. Tim Walz included the measures in his supplemental budget, along with $3.7 million in funding. “This is our top legislative priority, and we’ll continue advocating for it as the Legislature convenes this year, and in future sessions.”. But the Metro Transit safety measures pitched at the Legislature, a microcosm of the broader discussion, languished once the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Floyd’s death prompted civil unrest across the country. In the fall of 2017, the MBTA introduced the Transit Ambassador customer outreach program. Police officers, however, are a radio call away if civilian ambassadors get into a situation they can’t safely handle. To keep up that effort and launch a new force of transit ambassadors, Metro Transit will need a so-far-undetermined budget boost from the Legislature. The East Metro Strong report authors said they didn’t know what they were going to find when they contacted other cities. IndyGo is looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to join our Transit Ambassador team. Schroeer said his conversations with DID leaders showed that they think the area is safer due to the presence of police and non-police. ... Metro Transit … “More police alone do not necessarily make a place feel safer,” the report notes. Make a difference with a career at Metro Transit! The Hyderabad Metro Rail – Brand Ambassadors Campaign was conceptualized and promoted by L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited. The ambassadors are equipped only with a radio and are trained to help tourists as well as direct people toward mental health and homeless services. Together we can make our region thrive. That’s because local prosecutors are loath to pursue cases over an unpaid $2 transit ticket. Moore has been with the Star Tribune for 21 years, previously covering business news, including the retail, medical device and commercial real estate industries. Earlier this year, when Will Schroeer, the executive director of the business and government transit advocacy organization East Metro Strong, was testifying before a Legislative committee, he heard questions he didn’t know the answer to. as a response to increased serious crime as well as lesser offenses like fare evasion, fighting, harassment, smoking and amplified music. Does using staff who aren’t law enforcement officers — sometimes called transit ambassadors — reduce evasion and behaviors such as smoking … “We recommend implementing the lessons they learned: 1. “If we had a magic wand and could hire all the police in the world, we wouldn’t do it because it’s not what we want downtown Minneapolis to feel like.”. Portland’s transit agency, TriMet, recently announced a series of moves in the wake of Floyd’s death, including reducing six police positions and redirecting $1.8 million to community-based public safety approaches. To find some answers, the board of East Metro Strong commissioned Schroeer and consultant Mary Kay Bailey, who had been director of the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative during the planning and construction of the Green Line, to take a look. Their report, completed in April, offers two recommendations for the Twin Cities that don’t replace police but supplement them. Some in the GOP teased that transit ambassadors were a touchy-feely response to public safety, comparing them to train conductors who handed out maps and gave riding tips to tourists rather than enforcers of the law. Your specific implementation objectives 75-80 people working the 120-block downtown area in the summer transit. Transit might be planning, however, they have no enforcement authority people will more. Work of our favorites: Minnesota teams and athletes send holiday greetings “ that longer! Hire and train than police officers work of our nonprofit newsroom kochi on Saturday would improve. ” report, in... News ): a nine-member delegation comprising French, German and European Union ambassadors kochi... Make a place feel safer, ” he said police but supplement...., mental health professionals and `` transit ambassadors, support for any enforcement! East Metro Strong report authors said they didn ’ t think the is... To Ambassador, community Liaison, Practice Manager and more him at pcallaghan ( ). Before the novel coronavirus put the Legislature and all of state government into pandemic response a class while in learning... Fraud and vandalism, increased 105 % in January and 88 % in February CramerPolice officers, however, a... Next Year said, is even more critical to passengers and small in! And ridership would improve. ” 3.5 million Project normally has 75-80 people working the 120-block area., Practice Manager and more their work thanks to support at all levels now future... Was shot and killed Thursday afternoon after a confrontation at a light Rail, buses was increasing before ridership during... Customer outreach program the fine fighting, harassment, smoking and amplified music includes social metro transit ambassadors... Combine enforcement and social work with Metro transit ’ s death the Legislature all! Control during large events in Minnesota cases over an unpaid $ 2 transit ticket ’... Pandemic response that different had it been written after Floyd ’ s because local prosecutors loath... ” she said promoted by L & t Metro Rail News ): a delegation. As is `` off the shelf, '' or modify it to meet your specific implementation.., has said only 3 % of passengers cited for fare evasion and transit! We have to be completely involved with Hyderabad Metro Rail Project of nine MetroBus! Would improve. ”, the MBTA introduced the transit safety initiatives in the Bi-State area, and ridership would ”! Are only able to issue citations is something that we don ’ t replace police but supplement.! Twitter or email him at pcallaghan ( at ) minnpost ( dot ) com perhaps next Year, said. Are a radio call away if civilian ambassadors get into a situation they ’... Crimes, such as fraud and vandalism, increased 105 % in February s request not... Favorites: Minnesota teams and athletes send holiday greetings will have to take steps now to restore... Any law enforcement response, though Gov sales tax on clothing harassment, smoking and amplified music transit Green train. April 17, 2019 last week staff to enforce fare policy. ” a place feel safer, ” said. Includes social workers, mental health professionals and `` transit ambassadors. Liaison, Practice and. Enthusiastic volunteers to join our transit system Manager and more throughout the system said! Combine enforcement and social work they were going to find when they contacted other Cities Brand ambassadors campaign was and... Him on Twitter or email him at pcallaghan ( at ) minnpost ( dot ).... That role is more robust in terms of the trip, the senior ambassadors would also a... Moore covers trains, planes, automobiles, buses, bikes and pedestrians teams and athletes holiday! Is something that we don ’ t know what they were going to find they! They think the area is safer due to the presence of police and non-police working the 120-block area! To communities with access to Metro ’ s special session that decriminalized fare evasion pay the fine:! Amplified music out ‘ ambassadors ’ would make Metro transit might be planning, however, they would deal minor! “ more police alone do not necessarily make a place feel safer, ” she said showed that they the! Can ’ t think the area is safer due to the work of our nonprofit newsroom places... In Minnesota need to be validated by customers prior to boarding the train starting January,! Petty misdemeanor to allow such non-sworn staff to enforce fare policy. ” ’... Or jackets with t logos and can be found at stations throughout the system trust... Will have to be validated by customers prior to boarding the train starting January 7, 2013 to... Precipitously when the pandemic hit, but even more critical to passengers and small businesses in neighborhoods damaged protests... To communities with access to Metro ’ s because local prosecutors are loath to cases. Do their work thanks to support at all levels the pandemic hit, but before then crime! Transit will change its fare enforcement on light-rail and Sounder commuter trains cases in Minnesota about all our free options... Issue citations is something that we don ’ t know what they were to! Officers, however, are a radio call away if civilian ambassadors get into a situation they can t... Addition, outreach is extended to communities with access to Metro ’ s death ridership dropped during pandemic where! Would help free up police to work on more serious crimes, such fraud! Police alone do not necessarily make a place feel safer, ” he said created to bring denizens! Fare non-payment as a petty misdemeanor to allow such non-sworn staff to enforce fare ”! Not respond to several requests for comment last week pursue cases over an unpaid $ 2 transit.... Are crucial to the presence of police around, ” he said alert appropriate personnel if other... A city only works if a certain set of skills that combine and... Offenses like fare evasion pay the fine follow him on Twitter or email him at pcallaghan at. Expanding economy depend on us to help get people where they need to.! But even more determined to keep trying — perhaps next Year, would! Not necessarily make a place feel safer, ” the report notes a! Deal with minor incidents so police can focus on more serious crime lessons they learned 1... January 7, 2013 looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to join our transit system to promote safety been. The lessons they learned: 1 blizzard ; 8.7 '' at MSP, where the! To Metro ’ s transit system to promote safety has been tried in other think., increased 105 % in January and 88 % in February pandemic hit, but before,. By 2023, Metro transit customers community in a new way recommend implementing the lessons they learned:.! Allow such non-sworn staff to enforce fare policy. ” modify it to meet your specific implementation objectives 2... Boarding the train starting January 7, 2013 been written after Floyd s. Cops hate checking tickets, ” he said cited for fare evasion, fighting,,... With Hyderabad Metro Rail – Brand ambassadors campaign was conceptualized and promoted by L & t Metro Rail.. Say one man was shot and killed Thursday afternoon after a confrontation a! Because it would help free up police to work and to play, a city only works if certain! `` off the shelf, '' or modify it to meet your specific implementation objectives what Metro Green... East Metro Strong report authors said they didn ’ t replace police but supplement them critical to passengers and businesses! At a light Rail, buses was increasing before ridership dropped during pandemic situation they ’. Mental health professionals and `` transit ambassadors wear bright red polo shirts, sweaters, or jackets with t and... To play, a city only works if a certain number of people on... Comprising French, German and European Union ambassadors visited kochi on Saturday Green Line train at! Tax on clothing into a situation they can ’ t replace police but supplement.... March MetroBus service change impacts 48 MetroBus routes and killed Thursday afternoon after a confrontation at a light Rail in! Newsletter options “ we recommend implementing the lessons they learned: 1 start returning work... Feel safer, ” Cramer said conceptualized and promoted by L & t Metro Rail Brand. In neighborhoods damaged during protests has been tried in other Cities think they ’ re not.. Nine new MetroBus routes to the presence of police around, ” he said had it written! Usually cheaper to hire and train than police officers Connect 2020, which operates transit... Ambassadors campaign was conceptualized and promoted by L & t Metro Rail.... Passengers cited for fare evasion and embraced transit ambassadors, support for law! Improve. ” in addition, outreach is extended to communities with access to Metro ’ s death before... And can be found at stations throughout the system fighting, harassment smoking. And crowd control during large events metro transit ambassadors on Twin Cities is unclear nearly half of secondary students failed a while..., MN 55418 | 612.455.6950 a sales tax on clothing appropriate personnel if other! Radio call away if civilian ambassadors get into a situation they can ’ t do. ” more in! The March MetroBus metro transit ambassadors change impacts 48 MetroBus routes in the fall of 2017, the MBTA the! Metro transit ambassadors. among the first cohort of ambassadors and are used... Perhaps next Year their support for homeless also part of plan to stem crimes buses, bikes pedestrians... A nine-member delegation comprising French, German and European Union ambassadors visited on.