Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 11, 2009

External surveillance cameras installed at 12 Metrorail stations


District of Columbia and Fairfax County fund project

Metro has installed 20 exterior surveillance cameras at 12 Metrorail stations in the District of Columbia and Fairfax County.

Cameras were installed at the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood, Congress Heights, Deanwood, Minnesota Avenue, Fort Totten, Takoma, Brookland-CUA, Columbia Heights, Georgia Avenue-Petworth, Tenleytown-AU, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and Franconia-Springfield Metrorail stations. One additional camera will go up at Georgia Avenue-Petworth when construction on an adjacent building is completed. Picture of security camera at the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station

The Metro Transit Police Department identified Metrorail stations where external surveillance cameras could help deter and prevent crime, and assist police with criminal investigations. The recommendations were based on crime statistics and the need for security enhancements at these stations.

The District of Columbia provided $200,000 for its 17 cameras and Fairfax County provided $75,000 for four of the station cameras.

“Riders want to feel safe when they’re using Metro,” said Metro Board Chairman Jim Graham, who worked to secure funding from the District of Columbia. “Cameras tend to deter crime and we expect them to add to the security measures Metro already uses.”

“We are concerned about improving the safety of our customers not only as they travel through our system, but also as they get to and from our stations. Having cameras monitoring the streets leading to our stations gives us extra eyes to see what’s going on in and around our system, and helps us make the Metro system safer for our riders and the communities we serve,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn.


 


Media contact for this news release: Cathy Asato or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.

News release issued at 9:34 am, May 11, 2009.