Progress has been made on security strategies according to the December issue of the Metro Security Scorecard. Since September 2019, WSP and East-West Gateway have presented the Scorecard updates each quarter.
In February 2019, the MetroLink Security Assessment was completed. This project was led by East-West Gateway Council of Governments in close partnership with Metro Transit (a division of Bi-State Development) and Bi-State Development leadership and staff in response to a steady rise in crime and perception of crime on the MetroLink system. The final report yielded 99 recommendations spanning the six categories shown below.
A second phase of the project, The Metro Security Strategy, began in May 2019. Phase 2 outlines a program for implementing the non-infrastructure recommendations through the development of a comprehensive security strategy for the Metro Transit system. The project team has also been working closely with law enforcement partners from St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department to determine security issues and to develop the resulting strategy.
This scorecard provides a mechanism to track Metro’s progress toward implementing the comprehensive security strategy from a third party perspectives. Some highlights in each of the six areas from the December Scorecard follows:
Security Strategy –
In the area of Communication, progress in establishing clear protocols for radio communications and for improving media relations has moved ahead. This area is nearing full completion.
Police and Security Staffing –
This is another area that is nearing full completion. The only areas that are not fully implemented under Police and Security Staffing have to do with training. Many of the new training modules are already in place, and Metro is working hard to get those that remain up and running.
Procedures and Training –
Significant work has been done this quarter on updating Metro Security’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Metro staff have reduced the number of SOPs from 75 to 24.
Fare and Fare Enforcement –
Metro now has approved citation authority in all jurisdictions through which it operates, and can enforce fare evasion. Training on equitable fare enforcement and fare sweeps is underway.
CPTED
A draft security design criteria is under review. In addition, Metro is working to improve wayfinding signage around stops and has trained security personnel to better assist customers.
Technology –
Metro is collaborating with law enforcement partners on sharing real-time data from their CCTV feeds. Cameras are being updated as budgets allow. Progress on radio communication is taking place in the form of training and protocols.