Metro News Release

For immediate release: August 18, 2003

This Week at Metro (Monday, August 18, 2003)

Metro Transit Police Will Graduate Its 60th Class of Recruits

Ceremony Is August 18, 2003, 10 a.m., at Metro Headquarters
The Metro Transit Police Department will graduate its 60th class of officer recruits on Monday, August 18, at 10 a.m., in the Meeting Room at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, N.W. The class consists of 11 officers who went through 37 weeks of training, learning the rules, regulations,and laws governing the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

The Metro Transit Police Department, which is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, is one of the few, if not the only police department, in the country with a tri-jurisdictional patrol area, covering two states as well as the nation’s capital due to the fact that Metro provides service in these three areas.

The officers include:

  • Thomas S. Chaisone of Winchester, VA
  • Tuan D. Dang of Washington, DC
  • Linda F. Elmore of Windsor, MD
  • Kenneth R. Frost of Indian Head, MD
  • David D. Hall of Arlington, VA
  • Shana-Marie Jackson of Annapolis, MD
  • Alonda F. Lewis of Washington, DC
  • Anthony W. Milton II of Bowie, MD
  • Nicholas J. Smith of Mt. Rainer, MD
  • Darren M. Way of Gathersburg, MD
  • Brian C. White of Fredrick, MD

The ceremony will feature guest speaker Steve Eldridge, reporter with WTOP radio. Metro Deputy General Manager for Operations Jim Gallagher will provide remarks, and Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson will administer the oath of office and present the tri-state diplomas to thegraduates.

During the ceremony, three officers will receive their class’ top awards in firearms marksmanship, academics, and physical fitness from Captain Jeffery Delinski, Training Director. The three winners will be identified at the ceremony.

The recruits participate in rigorous class and field activities. Once they have graduated, these newly sworn officers continue with field workfor a period of 10 weeks under the aegis of a veteran officer.

Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro

  • · Now through September 6, 2003, from 1 to 6 p.m., "Live on Penn" FREE concerts, every Saturday on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., between 3rd and 6th streets, near the National Gallery of Art; featured music will include rock, hip hop, jam, and reggae. Metro will sponsor a booth each Saturday for customers to obtain information on the system and purchase Metro merchandise and SmarTrip cards; attendees are encouraged to take Metrobus or Metrorail to these concerts.
  • August 17, 2003, 8 p.m., U.S. Marine Band Free Concert at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall; with 3,000 attendees expected, the Smithsonian Metrorail station may be more crowded than usual; free concerts will take place on the 19th and 26th of the month as well.
  • August 18, 2003, 8 p.m., U.S. Navy Band Free Concert at the U.S. Capitol West Front; with 2,000 attendees expected, Union Station, Federal Center SW, and Capitol South Metrorail stations may be more crowded than usual; the final free concert will take place on the 25th of the month.
  • August 19, 2003, 8 p.m., U.S. Air Force Band Free Concert at the U.S. Capitol West Front; with 2,000 attendees expected, Union Station, Federal Center SW, and Capitol South Metrorail stations may be more crowded than usual; the final free concert will take place on the 26th of the month.
  • August 19, 2003, 8 p.m., U.S. Air Army Band Free Concert at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall; with 3,000 attendees expected, the Smithsonian Metrorail station may be more crowded than usual; the final free concert will take place on the 26th of the month.
  • September 4, 2003, NFL Kick Off Festival on the National Mall; Metrorail will operate peak-hour service from 2 to 10 p.m.; peak-hour fares will be in effect from 3 to 7 p.m., the usual period. The Smithsonian Metrorail station mall entrance will be closed starting at noon, while the station’s Independence Avenue entrance will remain open. The system will remain open until all post-event crowds have cleared the Mall and the Redskins game at FedEx Field.
  • September 7, 2003, Noon to 6 p.m., The Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival "Celebrating the Blues," featuring more than 30 FREE performances and activities for the whole family; ride Metro to Foggy Bottom-GWU, then take a FREE shuttle bus running every 15 minutes beginning at 11 a.m.

No Board of Committee Meetings Scheduled

No full Board or committee meetings will take place on August 21. To hear a recording about upcoming meetings, date and time changes for meetings, or the results of the last meeting, call 202-962-1055. To hear quotes by Metro experts, call MetroVoices at 202-962-2007.

News release issued on August 18, 2003.