MARTA Implements New Crime Reduction System
On October 1, 2000, the MARTA Police Department initiated a new program designed to reduce crime on the system. The new program, called M*PACT, is based on the COMPSTAT program developed by the New York City Transit Police in 1990. The basic principles of M*PACT are:
Great Things Overheard While on the Beat
11/7-8/01 Strategic Planning for Justice Information Integration, International Association of Chiefs of Police (800, THE IACP; information@theiacp.org)
11/27/01 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Rail Hijackings, Oakland, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
Note: Information for this newsletter may 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 Edith.Rodano@fta.dot.gov by August 15, 2000.
By aggressively analyzing data and using computer mapping, M*PACT will show trends in customer complaints, crimes, calls for service and disorder on the system. This information is then used to aid commanders in deploying resources in the most efficient manner.
MARTA's objectives in instituting the M*PACT program are to:
Of vital importance in the implementation of the program was the understanding that no additional personnel or costs would be involved. Precinct Commanders are better able to assign their current manpower to address problem areas. The mandatory evening train patrol has been modified so that it is no longer a dedicated train patrol by uniformed officers. Commanders are free to use plain clothes or uniformed officers, or a combination.
The MARTA Police Department works with the Greater Atlanta Data Center to gather crime statistics and mapping capabilities for surrounding areas. This partnership was made possible through our participation in a Federal grant.
Informing the public about the M*PACT program was done through an aggressive media campaign including billboards, flyers and posters. In addition, a press conference was held at the kick-off of the program. The event was attended by all of the major media outlets in Atlanta.
Along with the start of M*PACT, the MARTA Police Department along with Verizon Wireless has introduced a direct dial in system for users of cellular phones. By dialing #MPD cell phone users are connected directly to the MARTA Police Department Communications Center.
For further information, contact Lieutenant Jim Fraker at 404, 848-2919, or jfraker@itsmarta.com.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police Participate in Counter Terrorist Training. The FBI presented a Counter Terrorist and Operational Response Training Course to over 40 command and field staff of the GCRTA Transit Police in August. Included in the training were four major cornerstones through which the Government’s policy on terrorism is implemented, as follows:
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police and Their Community. During the month of June, several GCRTA Police officers devoted their time to interacting with the community. Officers Flachbart and McGinty assisted 815 children in learning safety while bike riding. Officer Joe Vrsansky became a permanent member of the Kid Care Unit. Officers Craig, Vrsansky, and Brandon and Detective Dietz participated in the Cleveland Police Department’s 1st and 2nd Districts Crime Fairs and a neighborhood party in the park. Officers Vrsansky, Brandon, and Detective Mooring fingerprinted and photographed approximately 260 children at the GCRTA Family Day at the Zoo. Detective Mooring, Detective Sergeant Kassay, and Officers Vrsansky, Lisk, Craig, Brandon, Jones, and Maine attended the Cleveland City Safety Council Day at the Zoo. Over 178 children were photographed, fingerprinted, weighed, and measured.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police Officers Save Peregrine Falcon. Last July, Transit Police Officers Earl Hensley, Charles Vaught, and Joseph Vrsansky noticed a fledgling Peregrine Falcon in the shrubs around Cleveland’s Terminal Tower. They took immediate precautions to protect the bird, which is on the State’s endangered list, and notified the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Officer Hensley then captured the bird and returned it to the ledge on the 12th floor of the Terminal Tower where it nests. Both parent falcons rejoined their youngster.
11/26-27/01 The Public Transport Safety and Management Conference, Midrands, South Africa, Institute for International Research (011 880-6000 or 340-1200; Fax: 880-8260 or 880-6789)
12/11-14/01 Street Smart from 9 to 5, San Francisco, CA, Crime Prevention Institute (650, 589-7200)
1/13-17/02 Transportation Research Board 81st Annual Conference, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
5/3-9/02 American Public Transportation Association Bus Conference, Minneapolis, MN (202, 496-4800; www.meetings@apta.com)
5/20-24/02 26th Annual LEIM Training Conference/Expo (800, THE IACP; information@theiacp.org)
6/10/14/02 American Public Transportation Association Rapid Transit Conference, Baltimore, MD (202, 496-4800; www.meetings@apta.com)
9/23-25/02 American Public Transportation Association International Public Transit Expo 2002, Las Vegas, NV (202, 396-4800; www.meetings@apta.com)
10/5-9/02 109th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Minneapolis, MN (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
11/28/01 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Rail Hijackings, Oakland, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
12/3-7/01 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Mufreesboro, TN, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
12/10-14/01 Transit System Security, San Juan, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
12/17-18/01 Fatigue Awareness, Detroit, MI, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
1/8-10/01 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Detroit, MI, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
1/14-18/02 Transit System Security, Baltimore, MD, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/5-6/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Long Beach, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/11-15/02 Transit System Security, Orlando, FL, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/20/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Rail Hijacking Seminar, San Joe, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/21/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Rail Hijacking Seminar, San Joe, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
2/25-3/1/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, San Juan, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
3/12-13/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Richmond, KY, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
3/18-22/02 Transit System Security (closed to outside participants), Bayamon, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
3/18-22/01 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Alexandria, VA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
4/11-12/02 Fatigue Awareness, Miami, FL, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/6-10/02 Transit System Security, Daytona, FL, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/6-10/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Detroit, MI, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/14/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/15/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/29-30/02 Fatigue Awareness, Daytona, FL, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/29-30/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/3-7/02 Transit System Security, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/10-14/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Lakeland, FL, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/19/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Marietta, GA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/20/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Marietta, GA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
6/25-26/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Austin, TX, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
7/17/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, San Jose, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
7/17-18/02 Fatigue Awareness, St. Louis, MO, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
7/18/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, San Jose, CA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
7/22-26/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Orange, California, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
7/29-8/2/02 Transit System Security, Columbus, OH, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
8/7-8/02 Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
8/26-30/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emerge (closed to outside participants)ncies, Bayamon, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/4/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/5/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/9-13/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Lexington, KY, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9/23-27/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
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. Fax your material to the number below--we will find a place for it in the newsletter.
Address Corrections. If you note any inaccuracies on the address label, please fax or E-mail corrections to the number below along with your phone and Fax numbers and E-mail address.
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