MetroLink Security Assessment

Creating a Safer and More Comfortable Transit System

The results of an independent security assessment of MetroLink have been released. As we review the MetroLink Security Assessment, it is important that our transit customers, our stakeholders and the community we serve know the steps we have taken over the last year to create a safer Metro Transit system.

We are responsible for the safety and security of our customers and employees, and this is the highest priority of both Metro Transit and our professional MetroLink law enforcement partners at the St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. Together, we have been working closely with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and WSP, the assessment contractor, following their launch of the MetroLink Security Assessment last May.

As areas were identified as needing improvement, we immediately implemented, when possible, adjustments to address those concerns. We did not wait for this assessment to be completed to begin making real changes to our approach to safety and security on the Metro Transit system. Over the last year, Metro Transit and its professional police partners have been working on developing – and delivering – an actionable security program. We have made significant progress during that time, changes that many of our riders have already noticed and changes that address many of the recommendations detailed in the MetroLink Security Assessment. A summary of our efforts can be found below.

While considerable progress has been made, there is still more to be done. We will continue to work together with our partners over the next year to refine the security strategy, address the recommendations from the assessment, and ensure our customers and our region have a safe, reliable and comfortable transit system.

Resources

MetroLink Security Assessment Recommendations

Executive Summary – MetroLink Security Assessment

Final Report Documents – MetroLink Security Assessment (Upper-right corner)

Progress Summary

Security Personnel on the Metro Transit System

The most effective strategy for creating a safe and welcoming transit system is the coordinated deployment of visible, effective security personnel across the system. Talking with our passengers, we know that is what they want to see most. Last year, we worked together with our professional police partners to increase our presence on the system by focusing on targeted onboard patrols.

We need to be where our customers are – on trains and buses. This new strategy has resulted in increased MetroBus and MetroLink checks, increased patrols and increased fare enforcement, and it maximizes the effectiveness of the MetroLink Police Unit, which includes 40 Metro Public Safety Officers, 130 contracted security and fare enforcement personnel, and 68 police officers and deputies from St. Louis County, St. Louis City and St. Clair County.

We are also revising our approach to contracted security to focus on customer service and fare enforcement. We will begin the procurement process this spring to take bids for contracted security services.

Station Design

We are evaluating the best ways to make changes to the physical design of the transit system to make it safer and to create a better environment for riders and the surrounding neighborhoods. This includes short-term solutions that can be implemented quickly.

Last fall, we teamed up with our professional law enforcement partners and Citizens for Modern Transit to launch a MetroLink Access pilot project that combined extra personnel with temporary fencing to create dedicated entrances and exits to the station platforms at the Fairview Heights, Forest Park-DeBaliviere and North Hanley MetroLink Stations. This program received positive feedback from riders, Metro Public Safety and law enforcement, and we are extending the program and expanding it to include the Central West End and Delmar Loop Stations.

We are also beginning the redesign of five original MetroLink Stations – Laclede’s Landing, Convention Center, 8^th & Pine, Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Delmar Loop. This effort will focus on placemaking and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), using infrastructure and amenities – including lighting, clear sight lines, new signage – that will make the system safer, provide a better transit experience and build stronger connections with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Technology

Last year, we introduced new technology to provide transit riders with resources they can use to easily connect with Metro Public Safety and law enforcement in the event of emergencies. In April 2018, we partnered with Noonlight, a personal safety mobile application, to give customers the ability to request assistance from law enforcement with just a touch of a button – even if they are in a position where they are unable to speak or text.

In July 2018, we launched a text messaging service that allows customers to quickly and discreetly contact Metro Public Safety – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 314-300-0188.

We continue to work and collaborate with our police partners on technology, including expansion of Metro’s CCTV camera surveillance system and making it more easily available to law enforcement; and the implementation of a shared radio communication system in the first part of 2019.

To ensure Metro Transit riders, law enforcement and security officers have reliable communications, we launched a pilot project in 2018 to provide Wi-Fi and cellular coverage in downtown MetroLink tunnels. Last November, a new pilot was launched to evaluate the potential of Wi-Fi services on MetroBus. We are now pursuing a larger program that would offer Wi-Fi and cellular service across the Metro Transit system, and we hope to expand this service later this year.

Security Assessment Recommendations