Suspected Killer Caught by BART Police Officer.
An Oakland man who allegedly stabbed and killed a man in front of several witnesses before attempting to fee on a San Francisco bound train was arrested at the 12th Street BART station. According to BART Police Sergeant John Conneely, Police Officer Forrest Tietz was patrolling the station in downtown Oakland on Saturday, March 2, when a man in his 40’s fell down an escalator onto the San Francisco bound platform and rolled through the open doors of a waiting train. Several people who were apparently following the man emerged shouting that he had killed someone. Officer Tietz requested that BART Central hold the outbound train while the suspect was handcuffed and taken into custody. Police said the man’s face and hands were covered with blood and that he was allegedly found to be carrying a buck-style folding knife. Investigators suspect the knife was used in the alleged homicide. Witnesses said that the alleged incident took place prior to the suspect running into the BART station. The suspect told officers that his leg was broken and that he was having difficulty walking. He may have been injured by those who chased him after the alleged incident. For further information contact Commander Clark Lynch at 510, 464-7633, clynch@bart.gov.
GCRTA Officer Assists Shocked Victim.
On March 11, a Central Rail employee of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority was severely shocked after touching energized equipment on a train. Dispatcher Frank Manual who coordinated the responding units immediately dispatched Transit Police and EMS. When Officer Jay Weiss arrived, he observed the employee bleeding and unconscious. He immediately assisted rail employees in giving first aid and helped direct the EMS unit to the scene. The victim was rushed to a nearby burn unit. For further information, contact the office of Chief John Joyce at 216, 566-2174.
During the afternoon rush hour on March 6 on the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, a series of unrelated events took place which allowed the Transit Police to exercise their response to a weapon of mass destruction. A woman with a history of strange behavior was operating her vehicle on South Marginal Drive just east of the East 9th Street Bridge when she stopped in front of an RTA bus thereby blocking the roadway. The bus driver exited her vehicle to determine the nature of the problem. The driver of the auto indicated she had a bomb in the car and was on her way to blow up the Coast Guard Station. The bus operator notified police and, while waiting for their arrival, evacuated her bus. Both the Cleveland and Transit Police responded. The auto’s driver fled the scene, leaving the vehicle behind. A bomb sniffing dog from the Cleveland Police found nothing. They did get a good description of the suspect from the driver. The incident resulted in a full bomb response. While the first incident was going on, a second, unrelated incident took place involving an underground electrical transformer. The transformer, which supplies power to some public buildings failed due to a low order detonation. The power failure caused emergency generators in public buildings, such as Cleveland’s City Hall, to start up, spewing smoke into the air. Most of the downtown traffic signals failed at this point. The Cleveland Fire Department responded to the power failure. All of these events caused a degree of public alarm. The Transit Police, working with City Police handled the rerouting of passengers in the area. In addition, GCRTA Police checked vital and high risk public areas for secondary devices and keep the incidents from turning into crises.
GCRTA Chief of Police Joyce reported that “We knew what was going on and handled it smartly, just like we planned it.” For further information, contact the office of Chief John Joyce at 216, 566-2174.
On February 24, Bay Area Rapid Transit held a coordinated drill to test response to a chemical release on a train. The drill involved simulated releases on two trains passing through the Trans-Bay Tube, one going to San Francisco and the other going to Oakland. The train operators became aware of the release and continued to the nearest station after reporting the incident to the Operations Control Center (OCC). As part of the drill, both the San Francisco and Oakland Fire Departments responded to the affected stations with hazmat and decon personnel and equipment. Both fire departments set up decontamination lines for the role players on the two trains. The OCC began its response procedures, including evacuation announcements and simulated rerouting of uninvolved trains.
The BART Police Department responded with personnel at each location to coordinate with the responding fire personnel and additional officers at each station donned Level C equipment to assume perimeter control. Fire Department personnel also donned their personnel protective equipment and responded to the station platforms to evaluate the situation and begin rescues. The role players simulated symptoms to guide the fire department’s response. All personnel were evacuated from the stations and the Fire Department accomplished a simulated decontamination at street level. The drill began at 5:00 a.m. and was completed by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning so that regular train service was not impacted. This drill allowed involved agencies to become more familiar with operating plans and equipment of other involved groups as well as the physical constraints of the BART stations. Well over 100 personnel participated in the drill. For further information contact Commander Clark Lynch at 510, 464-7633, clynch@bart.gov.
There are two resources of information and research available to State and local law enforcement. The Institute for Security Technology Studies at New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College focuses its research, development, and assessment efforts on countering terrorist attacks on websites and other Internet components and protecting the integrity of infrastructure systems such as networks. For more information, visit www.ists.dartmouth,edy or contact Paul Gnon at 603, 646-0700. The Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism targets the activities of first responders. Both institutes are funded by grants from the National Institute of Justice. For more information visit www.mipt.org or contact Brian Houghton at 405, 278-6313. Although both have their areas of specialization, they also conduct and sponsor research into other aspects of counterterrorism.
This is a magazine of the Community Policing Consortium. For a free subscription, call 800, 833-3085, Fax 202, 833-9295, or E-mail nsapubs@communitypolicing.org with your name, title, agency, and address. Community Links is also eager to review your story for publication. For their guidelines, write Publishing, The Community Policing Consortium, 1726 M Street, N.W., Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036, or by E-mail to nsapubs@communitypolicing.org.
Institute for Law and Justice Seeks Reports on Innovation.
The Institute for Law and Justice will highlight innovative practices of law enforcement agencies that have received a grant from the U. S. Department of Justice. Office of Communited Oriented Policing Services (COPS). If your department is one of the more than 12,000 state or local law enforcement agencies that has received a COPS grant and would like to be considered in “Reports from the Field: Community Policing Innovations,” contact Ms. Julie Wartell at julie@ilj.org or 858, 272-4523.
Electronic Surveillance Technology on Transit Vehicles: A Synthesis of Transit Practice, TCRP Synthesis 38, Transit Cooperative Research Program, Transportation Research Board, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C. (www.nationalacademies.org/trb/bookstore) This synthesis will be of interest to transit agency professionals, consultants, and vendors in dealing with onboard vehicle surveillance technologies. It describes the state of the practice concerning use of onboard vehicle surveillance technologies designed to address both safety and security issues at public transportation agencies. Included is a review of emerging technologies likely to be implemented in the near future in the transit environment. Issues and shortcomings with surveillance, including financial, legal, maintenance, and procedural concerns, are addressed. The document touches on the successes and failures of systems in meeting both system needs and product descriptions.
5/3-9/02 American Public Transportation Association Bus Conference, Minneapolis, MN (202, 496-4800; www.meetings@apta.com)
5/6-8/02 4th Annual Technologies for Public Safety in Critical Incident Response, (in addition, there will be a 1-day Critical Incident Managers’ Symposium designed for emergency responders) Albuquerque, NM, National Institute of Justice Office of Science and Technology (888, 475-1919; jtelander@ctc.org)
5/6-10/02 Countering Terrorism Conference, Quantico, VA, Federal Executive Institute (304, 870-8008; Fax: 304, 870-8009; register@opm.gov)
19-23 2002 World Safety Conference and Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, National Fire Protection Association (617, 770-3000; www.nfpa.org)
5/15-16/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Orlando, FL, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/conference.asp)
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)
6/19-20/02 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Philadelphia, PA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/conference.asp)
6/23-26/02 American Public Transportation Association Risk Management Seminar, Toronto, Ontario (202, 496-4800; www.apta.com/meetings/index.htm)
6/24-25 Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forum, Seattle, WA, Federal Transit Administration (transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/conference.asp)
8/5-6/02 109th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Minneapolis, MN (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
9/4-5/02 Global Security Summit for Transportation Systems and Critical Transportation Infrastructure, Chicago, IL, WCBF Limited (+44 [0] 20 8 886 0955; Fax: 882 8485; www.wcbf.com/security)
9/19-21/02 Risk Analysis 2002: Computer Simulation in Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation, Sintra, Portugal, Wessex Institute of Technology (+44 [0] 238 029 3223; Fax: 238 02 2853; wit@wessex.ac.uk; www.wessex.ac.uk)
9/22-26/02 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)
10/12-16/02 American Public Transportation Association Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT (202, 496-4800)
10/21-25/02 110th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition (800, THE-IACP; www.theiacp.org)
1/11-15/04 Transportation Research Board 83rd Annual Meeting,, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
10/30-11/3/04 111th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference: Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition (800, THE IACP; www.theiacp.org)
1/9-13/05 Transportation Research Board 84th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (202, 334-2934; Fax: 334-2003)
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)
5/29/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Albuquerque, NM, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/30/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Albuquerque, NM, 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)
5/29/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Albuquerque, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
5/30/02 Threat Management and Emergency Response to Bus Hijackings Seminar, Albuquerque, 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)
6/19-20/02 Substance Abuse Management and Program Compliance, Norwalk, CT, 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)
6/24-28/02 Transit System Security, Murfreesboro, TN, 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)
7/8-12 Homeland Defense, Shepherdstown, WV, Eastern Management Development Center (304, 870-8000; Fax: 80-8001; register@opm.gov)
7/9/02 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)
7/10/02 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)
7/17/02 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)
8/5-9 Homeland Defense, Shepherdstown, WV, Eastern Management Development Center (304, 870-8000; Fax: 80-8001; register@opm.gov)
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)
8/12-16/02 Transit System Security, San Juan, PR, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
8/26-30/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies (closed to outside participants), 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)
9/9-12 National Security Policy, Denver, CO, Western Management Development Center (303, 672-1010; Fax: 671-1018; register@opm.gov)
9/9-13/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Lexington, KY, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
9-19 National Security Policy, Denver, CO, Western Management Development Center (303, 671-1010; Fax: 671, 1018; register@opm.gov)
9/23-27/02 Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, Phoenix, AZ, Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Safety Institute (405, 954-3682; Fax: 954-0367)
Errata: The correct address for the CSIR/Transportek Book on Crime Prevention is Oliver Page (not Oliver Reed as shown in the last issue of the Newsletter), CSIR/Transportek, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
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.
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 April 15, 2002.