Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 18, 2004

Metro to Purchase Additional Security-Related Equipment,Modify Some Operating Procedures, Promote Customer and Employee Vigilance Following Train Bombings in Madrid

More security equipment will soon be on its way to Metro to be used in conjunction with the enhanced security measures and policing tactics which have already been implemented within the Metrorail system since terrorist bombs killed and injured hundreds of people on trains in Madrid last week. Today the Metro Board of Directors was informed of a staff action to purchase $180,000 worth of explosive ordnance detection equipment including surveillance cameras, portable X-ray kits, additional police protective gear, incident-related communication tools, computer equipment and chemical weapon identifiers-- all for use in ensuring the safety and security of Metro’s customers, employees, and the system’s infrastructure itself. " We will use the additional equipment and technology to improve our ability to detect, respond to and recover from potential threats and incidents of terrorism," explained Metro CEO Richard A. White. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit-related equipment to be purchased includes a special radio frequency to be used by the Metro Transit Police Department’s EOD robot; an external surveillance camera for the EOD on-scene command vehicle; a special computer monitor for the truck’s surveillance camera; two portable x-ray kits and film; an explosive storage magazine in which suspected explosive-laden packages are stored; six sets of ballistic helmets and shields; four fiber optic snake cameras; six EOD unit suits and vests; a police radio with interagency digital/analog communication capability; and two chemical weapons identifiers used to identify unknown substances. Additionally, since the attacks in Madrid, Metro Transit Police have enhanced security in several ways. They have:" increased the frequency of station patrols by its special response teams (similar to SWAT teams) who patrol with specially trained explosive detection canines and machine guns; " altered the way in which they are conducting sweeps, adding train-to-train and railcar-to-railcar patrols; and" increased the number of police officers who are patrolling during rush hour by assigning administrative officers to the stations and trains during times when more customers are in the system." increased public address announcements to customers and reinforced security and safety procedures with employees to be attentive to their surroundings. This includes a campaign known as, " Excuse me, is that your bag" " ’some of the enhanced security is visible to our customers and at the same time, much is not, and that’s exactly the way it is designed to be," explained Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson. " Certainly we want our customers to know that we have elevated our policing efforts, yet at the same time, we can not make public everything that we are doing because to do so could possibly put people at risk. We take security extremely seriously." Metro officials also announced that starting tomorrow (Friday, March 19), its station restrooms will no longer be available for public use for the safety of its customers. In October 2003, Metro officials opened the doors to the station restrooms for public use. However those restrooms were never designed for public access and most are located in private corridors adjacent to machine rooms where someone with access to those areas could hide an explosive device. Metro Transit Police will close public access to some or all station restrooms for a period of up to 30 days whenever the national alert level is elevated to Orange or above; when a specific threat to rail systems is shared with Metro by the FBI, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Homeland Security or other federal agency; or when domestic or worldwide terrorism or other related events warrant increased vigilance. Public access to station restrooms will return when those threat levels and concerns are lowered. " After September 11, 2001, we removed trash bins from our station platforms because they could potentially be used by someone to hide an explosive device," explained Chief Hanson. " In carefully assessing the bombings in Madrid, it is obvious that closing our restrooms is a smart and logical step to further protect our customers and employees from possible terrorists acts. Our customers understood why we removed the trash bins. They will also understand the importance of our needing to close access to the restrooms. Safety first. Their safety." Metro’s 10,000 employees are assisting the security effort by asking customers who are standing near items such as shopping bags, knapsacks and dufflebags, " Is that your bag" " in an effort to ensure that unidentified bags that are left in stations and trains are identified quickly. " We hope that people who may be approached by a Metro employee and asked about the ownership of a bag will understand that we are doing so as an extra safety precaution," Mr. White said. " We have a good police force, but our employees are also involved in this security effort. All 10,000 employees" myself included--serve as extra sets of eyes and ears when we are in the Metrobus and Metrorail system." Every morning this week, Metro employees also have been hosting public education and outreach efforts on safety and security at key Metrorail stations. Another education/outreach event is scheduled tomorrow from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Pentagon Metrorail station. " Ever since September 11, Metro has built a strong security partnership with our customers," said Chief Hanson. " We have asked our customers to be extra vigilant in keeping an eye open for unattended packages and suspicious activity and report anything along those lines to Metro Transit Police or any Metro employee, and I am proud to say that they have done so and continue to do so. We take their concerns seriously and have followed up to investigate hundreds of packages or unusual substances that they have brought to our attention. Their assistance is extremely valuable and important to us. They have been excellent partners."

News release issued on March 18, 2004.