Exploring the Use of Roving Security Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail and Bus Transit Security in the US

1. Exploring the Use of Roving Security Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail and Bus Transit Security in the US Transportation and Development Institute Of the American Society of Civil Engineers National Teleconference Thursday, March 25, 2004 James F. Broder, CFE, CPP, FACFE, President Confidential Business Consultants, LLC And Eva Lerner-Lam, President Palisades Consulting Group, Inc.

2. The Problem: How can we Prevent and Deter Terrorism on Transit? • Rail and Bus Transit Systems are open, and no matter how many video monitors or canine patrols are deployed, it is simply not feasible to check each and every passenger embarking on each and every segment of their journey

3. What is Practical? "I don't know that we ought to apply the same strategy that we're using with the airlines… Is it practical to have magnetometers for everyone who gets on a subway? Is it practical to search every bag that goes on?" -- Asa Hutchinson, Undersecretary of Homeland Security, March 15, 2004

4. Roving Security Inspections • Modeled after Roving Fare Inspections on European and US Light Rail Systems • Currently used in several countries in Europe

5. Roving Security Inspections • Frequent, unannounced inspections on buses, trains and in passenger terminals • Aided by Explosives Detection Dogs (EDD) and metal detectors • Inspectors would be empowered to issue citations and to make arrests

6. Advantages of RSI • High visibility of such roving patrols throughout vehicles and terminals can provide effective deterrence to would-be terrorists and reassurance to the public of a security presence. • Low cost compared to other security options, and can be used as a “building block” in deterring terrorism.

7. For Discussion Today • What would be Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Roving Security Inspections (RSIs)? • How quickly can RSIs be established at rail and bus transit systems in the US? • How much will RSIs cost transit agencies? • What additional legal authority is necessary to enable effective RSI enforcement? (e.g., do transit police currently have sufficient authority to search and arrest individuals?)

8. For Discussion Today, con’d. • What additional training/skills are needed for RSIs? • What types of public information programs for RSIs would be most effective? • Would the RSIs themselves trigger an attack on board a transit vehicle? How can this risk be minimized? • What is the appropriate frequency of RSIs on a commuter rail train? On a bus route?

9. 1. Model RSI Standard Operating Procedures? • The SOP for roving security inspectors can be the same as Code Compliance Inspectors at any of the light rail systems in the US • Any modifications would be simple, but an adequate SOP, with minor changes, already exists

10. 2. How quickly can RSIs be deployed? • RSIs can be established immediately (in many cases they already exist) • Trained personnel are  already available with little to no change in job assignment or duties

11. 3. How much will RSIs cost transit agencies? • Minimal additional cost, as the trained personnel are already available, in most cases

12. 4. Additional legal authority necessary? • Many systems employ transit police who have broad police powers, such as search, seizure and arrest, the same as any sworn police officer (it depends upon the jurisdiction) • Even Code Compliance Inspectors have the ability to call in sworn officers at a moment’s notice when they see, or suspect a crime is being committed (And, because they wear uniforms and have badges (and radios)  they are often confused with sworn officers (Deterrence))

13. 5. Additional training/skills needed? • Probably not (Any uniformed transit security personnel should possess the required skills as a result of previous training)

14. 6. Most Effective Types of Public Information Programs for RSIs? • As much publicity as possible using every media available • First ,the riding public needs to be constantly reassured • Second, the bad guys need to know that the targets have been hardened (deterrence)

15. 7. Would an RSI Itself Trigger an Attack? • NO--the absence of security often makes a target more attractive (the presence of security, if effectively deployed, can often act as a deterrence to an attack) • BUT--in security there are no guarantees

16. 8. What is the appropriate frequency of RSIs? • All patrols MUST be random • Set schedules should be avoided

17. Other Important Considerations • The trade-off  to security is always cost and inconvenience • We must avoid becoming paranoid and over reacting • In the absence of continued threats, how much do we want to inconvenience the riding public?

18. In Summary • RSIs may be a cost-effective, “building block” security strategy for transit agencies • RSIs may be implemented quickly since: • SOPs already exist for roving fare inspection and can be adapted for security inspection • Most training, skills and enforcement powers already exist at transit agencies