DHS Bases Grants on Risk - Is Metro Playing?

Washington Post
January 4, 2006
By Dan Eggen
D.C. May Benefit as DHS Bases Grants on Risk

"Regions at the highest risk of terrorist attack or natural disaster will receive an increased share of grant money under a new urban funding formula unveiled yesterday by the Department of Homeland Security . . . The metro D.C. region was already targeted by terrorists. As the seat of government it just goes to reason that we would continue to be high on their list."

Has Metro applied for funding from DHS?

Following are just two initiatives that Metro could use DHS Grant funding to pursue.

1. More Metro Police and/or security coverage is needed at stations.

Not ever station has a Metro Transit Police Officer at all times. I understand that the police force just doesn’t have that many officers to cover all 86 stations from 5:00AM to 12:30PM and later on weekends and during events. Metro Transit Police currently has 400 sworn officers, to cover a 1,500 square mile Transit Zone. Full coverage of each station would require 310 of those officers to strictly man one train station each. This would leave only 80 officers to cover the remainder of Metro Transit Police’s buses, parking lots, facilities, train cars, etc.

2. Metro Transit Police needs to published an evacuation plan for each subway station.

Since the fire at the Woodley Park Metro station, it is my understanding that the Metro Transit Police has worked on ways to better coordinate with the local jurisdiction and has produced plans for some of the stations.

I would like to see the plans posted or published for customer access and comment. I know that riders that frequent stations may have some better ideas and alternatives that Metro may not have considered.

I would also like to see the plans for crown control, bus queuing, and staffing.

See my BLOG - Category: Transit Police and Security for these and other security topics.

I. Michael Snyder
WMATA Riders' Advisory Council
Council Member for Maryland - MetroRail