Washington, DC Metro to begin bag inspections

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

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.





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