Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 22, 2009
Metro Transit Police continue to be vigilant after terror suspect arrested
Intelligence sources say there is no specific threat to Metro
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) has increased uniformed patrols in the Metro transit system since the week of September 11, as it usually does near the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, but there has been no additional elevation of security following the recent arrest of a terror suspect in Colorado.
"We have no specific information from intelligence sources that would lead us to believe there is a threat to our system at this time, yet MTPD officers remain vigilant,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael A. Taborn. He added that there are no plans to institute random bag inspections.
“Our system is as safe as an open system can be. There are several actions we take that are known or visible to the public such as patrols, cameras in stations and chemical and biological detection devices,” said Dave Webb, Deputy Chief of MTPD’s Homeland Security, Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. “There are also some actions that we take that are not visible to the public and they are designed to be that way.”
Officers continue to conduct high-visibility inspections in Metrorail stations and trains and on Metrobuses since the week of September 11. Administrative police officers also have been participating in the patrols to increase uniformed visibility to help deter crime.
MTPD has representatives who work on the FBI Local and National Joint Terrorism Task Force and they provide Metro Transit Police with related intelligence information that relates to transit security.
Metro asks customers to be vigilant as well and requests that passengers who see an unattended bag or anything unusual please report it to a Metro employee or call Metro Transit Police immediately at 202-962-2121.
As a reminder, this week the Metro Transit Police Department has 10 officers assisting with security associated with the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh because the officers have extensive experience in transit security.
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Media contact for this news release: Angela Gates or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 3:05 pm, September 22, 2009.