The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is the primary provider of transportation for the District of Columbia public school system. Disruptive and rowdy students can increase safety concerns and raise the perception of crime for subway passengers. A particularly troublesome location in D. C. has been the Tenleytown Metrorail Station located next to Woodrow Wilson High School in the upper northwest part of the city. Recognizing that traditional law enforcement methods were not achieving their goals, the Metro Transit Police solicited the assistance of their own Officer Mark Spencer, an alumnus of Wilson High School. In response, Officer Spencer helped formulate an art program whereby students could display their creations in the Metrorail Station. This served to form a bond between WMATA and the students who now had a proprietary interest in the transit facility.
Over an 18-month period, Officer Spencer served as project coordinator and liaison among students, faculty, the various departments of the transit authority, and the D. C. Commission of Arts and Humanities. Officer Spencer escorted the art students on a tour of other transit sites that displayed art for the pleasure of WMATA riders. He spoke often to the entire student body and worked closely with the principal’s office to ensure the program’s success. Finally, on June 7, 1999, a ceremony was held at the Tenleytown Station to unveil the three murals done by students on the mezzanine level. The ceremony was attended by a number of school and WMATA personnel. The program will continue, allowing each subsequent senior art class the opportunity to replace the three murals each year and, therefore, develop a continuous vested student interest in the Tenleytown Station.
Since the inception of this program, there has been a noticeable decline in juvenile and student problems at this station, and WMATA’s espoused values of safety and security, customer service, integrity, partnering, and stewardship have been showcased. Officer Spencer’s exemplary and tireless community policing spirit has created a better understanding between students and police, As a result, he was recognized by being named the Metro Transit Police Department Officer of the Second Quarter for 1999.
For further information, contact John Chumas at 202, 635-6761, or jchumas@wmata.com.
Washington Metro Transit Police Department 1999 Best Dressed. The August 1999 issue of Law and Order magazine announced that the Washington Metro Transit Police Department has been selected Best Dressed Specialized Police Agency for 1999. The 298 uniformed personnel wear tan trousers with brown stripes, tan shirts, olive jackets, and brown ties. Officers with the rank of sergeant or higher wear white shirts with insignia. Chief Barry J. McDevitt noted that “only the finest quality is provided to our officers.” Round olive hats and black shoes and belts complete the uniform. In addition to everyday duty uniforms, the extensive uniform program includes K-9, ceremonial, motorcycle, emergency, and bike patrol clothing.
With daily inspections and appearance standards comparable to that of the U. S. military, the Metro Transit Police take their appearance seriously. Chief McDevitt explained that “Since contact with police by most riders is only through observation, a well-dressed officer represents to them the best professional law enforcement practices.”
For additional information, contact Deputy Chief Daniel D. Hall at 202, 962-2150.
What To Do When Riders Break the Law. At the request of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) employees, the Metro Transit Police have developed a card instructing employees on what to do when they see people breaking the law on the system. Designed for non-police personnel, the card gives specific instructions on how to handle such situations. A copy of this card is attached to this newsletter for your information and use. For further information, contact Deputy Chief Polly Hanson at 202, 962-2150, or on E-Mail at phanson@wmata.com.
Quality of Life on the Upsurge on New York City Subways. An increased emphasis on enforcement of restrictions on the New York City subway system is resulting in better quality of life for its riders. Transit Authority statistics show that tickets for such violations as fare evasion, smoking, obstructing doors, taking up more than one seat, littering, alcohol use, smoking, riding outside the vehicle, selling, harmful acts, having no identification, being in restricted areas, and other such offenses increased nearly 41% in 1998. The Transit Adjudication Bureau reports that summonses for the first five months of 1999 have increased nearly 8% this year compared with the same period in 1998. This is due to the continuation of a zero tolerance campaign by New York City Transit begun in the early 1990’s. It is also part of an effort to make travel on the system more pleasant for riders by curbing panhandling, peddling, and littering. There were 2,209 felonies in the first six months of the year, which is down 11.6% from the same period in 1998, 24.5% from 1997, and 57.5% from 1993. In recent sweeps, police issued 170 summonses and made 150 arrests, most of them for quality of life offenses. However, in one of their sweeps they also captured a robbery suspect who was trying to flee.
Land Transportation Antiterrorism Training Program. The Land Transportation Antiterrorism Training Program (LTATP) was developed by the U. S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). This course recognizes that security at most land transportation systems must be accomplished through a cooperative effort by Federal, State, local, and contract personnel. It was designed to protect the land transportation infrastructure, including rail, transit, and bus operations, and is aimed at addressing the needs of all personnel charged with security responsibilities.
The LTATP is usually conducted as an agency-specific training program. At least once a year, however, FLETC offers this program on an “open” basis, allowing enrollment from various law enforcement and security agencies. To accomplish the goals of this training, FLETC uses guest instructors as well as permanent FLETC instructors. This ensures that the very latest information and materials are used. Program content and delivery methods are constantly updated in response to the changing threat environment.
Tuition for is estimated at $500 based on an enrollment of 24 per session which includes all program materials. However, actual cost will be based on the number of attendees. For further information contact Carol Hanneld, Senior Training Technician (912, 267-3186) or at channeld@fletc.treas.gov), or Kevin Livingston, Program Coordinator (912, 261-4183) or at klivings@fletc.treas.gov).
JUSTNET on the Internet. JUSTNET (Justice Technology Information Network) is a source of information on new technologies, equipment, and other products and services available to the law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice communities. Under the auspices of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), JUSTNET is maintained by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center. From the home page, you can choose from the following options, which also offer access to other criminal justice information web sites: (1) News and Information Services; (2) Interactive Services, including a chat line and topic board; and (3) Data and Publications Services. Users must register when they enter the Interactive Services area for the first time. The JUSTNET address is http://www.nletc.org. For those who do not yet have access to the internet, you can call their hotline at 800, 248-2742, or 301, 251-5060; Fax: 301, 251-5149, or they can be reached by E-mail at dlinn@aspensys.com. Written comments or questions should be directed to NLETC/JUSTNET, P.O. Box 1160, 1600 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20849-1160.
New York City MTA. We would like to welcome Chief of Police James D. O’Donnell of the New York City MTA Police Department (212, 878-1084).
METRA Commuter Rail. We would also like to welcome Chief of Police Frederick J. Leonard of the METRA Commuter Rail Division of the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (312, 322-8903).
Happy anniversary to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority Police Department and Chief Juan M. Rodriguez who are celebrating their 15th anniversary on September 15 (214, 749-3013).
Worldwide Terrorist and Violent Criminal Attacks Against Transportation – 1997. This report is published annually by the Office of Intelligence and Security (S-60), Office of the Secretary of Transportation. The information is broken out by transportation mode and gives casualties by mode and violence by region. There is a separate chronology of transportation violence in the U. S. It is available for law enforcement and security officials in the transit industry. Copies may be obtained by calling 202, 366-6525, or by E-Mail to Jeff Shumaker at jeff.shumaker@ost.dot.gov.
10/10-14 American Public Transit Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, FL (202, 898-4038; Fax: 898-4029)
10/13-14 American Public Transit Association TransiTech Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, FL (202, 898-4038; Fax: 898-4029)
11/13-17 Canadian Urban Transit Association Fall Conference and Trans-Expo Trade Show, Edmonton, Alberta (416, 365-9800; Fax: 365-1295)
1/9-13/00 Transportation Research Board 79th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
4/9-11/00 American Public Transit Association Commuter Rail Conference, Long Island, NY (202, 898-4040; Fax: 898-4029)
5/00 Canadian Urban Transit Association Annual Conference, Victoria, British Columbia (416, 365-9800; Fax: 365-1295)
5/7-11/00 American Public Transit Association Bus Conference, Houston, TX (202, 898-4040; Fax: 898-4029)
6/11/15/00 American Public Transit Association Rapid Transit Conference, St. Louis, MO (202, 898-4040)
9/24-28/00 American Public Transit Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (202, 898-4040; Fax: 898-4029)
11/11-15/00American Public Transit Association Light Rail Conference, Dallas, TX (202, 898-4040; Fax: 898-4029)
10/27-28 Fatigue Awareness Seminar, St. Paul, MN, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
11/2 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijacking Seminar, Cleveland, OH, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
11/9 Transit Explosives Incident Management Seminar, Des Moines, IA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
11/10 Transit Explosives Incident Management Seminar, Des Moines, IA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
11/22-23 Fatigue Awareness Seminar, Sacramento, CA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
12/6-9 Transit System Security, Denver, CO, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
1/11-12/00 Response to Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Transit Incidents, Denver, CO, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/2-3/00 Response to Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Transit Incidents, Port Authority, PA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/7-10/00 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Chicago, IL, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/16-17/00 Fatigue Awareness Seminar, Jacksonville, FL, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/1-4/00 Congress and the Intelligence Community, Washington, DC, The Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University (202,333-4838; Fax: 333-8165)
5/16-19/00 Transit System Security, Las Vegas, NV, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/18-19/00 Fatigue Awareness Seminar, Baton Rouge, LA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/22-24 Instructor’s Course in Bus Collision Investigation, Honolulu, HI, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/10-13/00 Congress and the Intelligence Community, Washington, DC, The Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University (202,333-4838; Fax: 333-8165)
7/31-8/4/00 Instructor’s Course in Bus Collision Investigation, Oakland, CA, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/25-28/00 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Las Vegas, NV, Federal Transit Administration/Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
What Is Your E-Mail Address? We are collecting E-Mail addresses. If you have one, please forward it to me at the E-Mail address below.
Let Us Hear From You. If you have any activities that would be of interest regarding transit security, a staff member whom you want to commend for some outstanding or heroic action, or just about anything dealing with transit security, please let us hear from you. Simply fax your material to the number given below--we will find a place for it in the newsletter.
Address Corrections. If you note any inaccuracies on the address label, please fax corrections to the number below along with your phone and Fax numbers and E-Mail address.
Note: Information for inclusion in the next issue of this newsletter should be sent to Edith Rodano, Office of Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D. C. 20590 (202, 366-0191; FAX: 366-7951) or by E-Mail to Edith.Rodano@fta.dot.gov no later than October 15, 1999.