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L.A. Sheriff's Department Heightens Metro Rail Security

By Reut R. Cohen
September 8, 2011
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which provides Metro Rail security, has heightened patrols and monitoring services in an effort to prevent possible anniversary attacks this upcoming tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Metro Rail riders, North Hollywood station. (Photo by Reut Cohen)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which provides Metro Rail security, has heightened patrols and monitoring services in an effort to prevent possible anniversary attacks this upcoming tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Many Metro Rail riders have already noticed increased visibility of deputies, but much of the increased security will not be visible.

"There is a plain clothed [patrol] presence you won't see," said Capt. Daniel Cruz. "We're going to maintain liaisons with federal and local authorities."

The heightened security includes high visibility patrols, plain clothed personnel, random baggage checks, use of canine patrols and the monitoring of terror threat levels.

The Sherriff's Department cannot comment on the exact timeframe the extra safety measures will be in place, however, they ask the public to remain watchful. "I would ask the public to assist us in reporting suspicious behavior," said Capt. Cruz.

Some reports have linked the heightened security with two stabbing incidents that took place on Gold Line and Red Line trains in August. However, according to Dave Sotero, Senior Public Communications Officer for Metro, the increased security is specifically aimed at preventing any potential 9/11 anniversary attacks.

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Reut R. Cohen is a graduate student at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, which has partnered with KCET-TV to produce this blog about policy in Los Angeles.

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