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Washington, DC Metro to begin bag inspections
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:53:33 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Bob Drzyzgula <bob () drzyzgula org> Date: October 27, 2008 3:56:28 PM EDT To: David Farber <dave () farber net> Cc: ip <ip () v2 listbox com> Subject: Washington, DC Metro to begin bag inspections http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2324 | For immediate release: October 27, 2008 | Metro Transit Police to begin bag inspection program | | Police to increase visibility to enhance security | and heighten awareness | | The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) will begin | a bag inspection program and look into passengers’ | bags prior to them entering the Metro system in an | ongoing effort to protect Metro riders, employees | and facilities. Officers will be inspecting bags for | explosive devices. | | Bag search | | “The Security Inspection Program aims to deter | terrorist attacks and increase the overall safety of | the Metro system,” said Metro Transit Police Chief | Michael Taborn. “Inspections could take place at | any Metrorail station or Metrobus stop. They will | be random, unannounced and focused on explosive | detection.” | | The Metro Transit Police anticipate conducting | random bag searches under the Security Inspection | Program when circumstances warrant heightened | vigilance. Police will take steps to ensure that | there will be no discernible pattern to these | inspections. At such time, a team of specially trained | MTPD officers will begin looking into passenger bags, | including briefcases, backpacks, boxes, gym bags, | suitcases and purses. Inspection points will be set | up at Metro facilities and passengers will go through | inspections before entering a rail station or boarding | a bus. | | “Security is a top priority at Metro. We’re | committed to enhancing the safety of our riders and | employees and security inspections are an important | part of that effort,” said Metro General Manager | John Catoe. “It’s important to know that we have | received no threat to the Metro system, but we have | the responsibility to do everything we can to keep | it safe." | | Beginning Monday, Oct. 27, large signs will be posted | at Metrorail station entrances informing riders about | the potential of inspections. The red and white signs | clearly state: Backpacks, carry-on items and other | containers are subject to inspection. | | "While the inspections themselves will not necessarily | take place today, Metro Transit Police have been | trained and are ready to start immediately, if | needed,” Taborn said. | | When MTPD begins screening passengers’ belongings, | the inspection locations will not be announced | ahead of time. They could take place at any Metro | facility at any time. All passengers’ carry-on items | will be subject to inspection. However, just prior | to beginning the inspection process at a specific | location Metro Transit Police will post signs alerting | riders about the security initiative. | | At the inspection site, teams of five to | eight Metro Transit Police officers and a | trained explosive-detection dog will conduct the | screenings. Riders who are randomly selected will be | taken off to the side and will be asked to open their | carry-on items. In a matter of seconds, officers | will visually inspect the contents for explosive | devices. Individuals who refuse to have their bag | or bags inspected will not be allowed to enter the | Metro system with those carry-on items. The will be | free to leave the system with their items. | | “We ask our riders to cooperate with the officers | who are conducting the inspections to minimize any | inconvenience,” Taborn said. “We also want to | remind the public that security in mass transit | depends on a concerted effort by police, transit | employees and passengers.” Metro riders are reminded | to report any suspicious activity to Metro Transit | Police by calling 202-962-2121. | | Additionally, with the impending election and | presidential inauguration just a few months away, | Metro Transit Police will be heightening security | efforts throughout the Metrorail and Metrobus | system. Metro riders should not be surprised to | see more uniformed police officers, some carrying | additional weaponry, and explosive-detection dogs | in rail stations, and on buses and trains. During | these highly-visible patrols of rail stations and bus | routes, trains and buses may pause for a few seconds | as police visually inspect the vehicles for suspicious | activities, behaviors and packages. | | “If the initiative we are announcing today does | nothing more than remind us all that there are | people in the world who have vowed to do us harm, | and that vigilance is the key to defeating them, | then this program will have succeeded. I think it | will do more,” Taborn said. | | Prior to launching the Security Inspection Program, | Metro Transit Police met with officials at the | Transportation Security Administration and transit | agencies in New York, Boston and New Jersey where | police regularly conduct inspections of passengers’ | belongings. Legal authority to inspect packages | brought into the Metro system has been established by | the court system on similar types of inspections in | mass transit properties, airports, military facilities | and courthouses. | | Additional information about the Security Inspection | Program can be found in the Frequently asked questions | section of Metro's Web site. ------------------------------------------- Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/ Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
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- Washington, DC Metro to begin bag inspections David Farber (Oct 27)