Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 15, 2009
Police from across the country join Metro Transit Police on Inauguration Day
Increased police presence planned for Inauguration Day
Police from across the country, including officers from 18 transit properties and a host of federal, local and state law enforcement agencies, will join the Metro Transit Police to ensure the safety and security of Metro riders on Inauguration Day. Approximately 200 additional officers, including explosive-detecting K9 teams, will be on Metro property on what could be Metro’s busiest day in history.
“More than a million people are expected to ride Metro on Inauguration Day and their safety is our top priority,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn. “We are doing everything that we can to ensure that our customers ride the Metro system without incident.”
Metro Transit Police officers will be present at every Metrorail station on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, Jan. 20. Riders can expect to see large numbers of police officers in rail stations and at bus stops, and on buses and trains throughout the day. Some officers will carry additional weaponry and some will patrol with specially trained dogs.
Police officers from transit agencies in Atlanta (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), Boston (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), Chicago (Chicago Transit Authority), Cleveland (Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority), Dallas (Dallas Area Rapid Transit), Delaware (Delaware River Port Authority), Denver (Regional Transportation District), Houston (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County), Milwaukee (Milwaukee County Transit System), Minneapolis (Metro Transit), New Jersey (NJ Transit), New York (New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port Authority), Philadelphia (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency), Sacramento (Sacramento Regional Transit District), San Francisco (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Seattle (King County Metro Transit) and Utah (Utah Transit Authority) are traveling to the region to assist with Metro’s security efforts on Inauguration Day.
The Bowie Police Department and Quantico Police Department are sending officers, and the FBI, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Park Police and U.S. Capitol Police will patrol in Metrorail stations. In addition, all of the local police departments in National Capital Region served by Metro—Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church—will lend officer support at Metrorail stations in their respective jurisdictions.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of interest and cooperation from law enforcement agencies across the country. The collaboration from our fellow law enforcement agencies is a valuable partnership and provides an added layer of security to ensure the safety of our customers,” Taborn said. “We’re grateful for their assistance and are excited to have them participate alongside us for this historic occasion.”
The Metro Transit Police remind customers of the following:
• Carry as little as possible when traveling through the Metro system to cut down on the possibility that items are left behind, resulting in the need for Metro to inspect unattended items.
• Bicycles and large coolers/containers are not permitted on Metrorail.
• All Metrorail station restrooms will be closed for security reasons.
• Remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Use the emergency call boxes on station platforms and on all Metrorail cars to call Metro personnel for assistance, if needed.
• Report any suspicious behavior, unusual activity, unattended items, smoke or odd odors to a uniformed Metro employee or call the Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
News release issued at 10:45 am, January 15, 2009.