Security honor for MARTA

Recently, John S. Pistole, head of the federal Transportation Security Administration, presented MARTA with its Gold Standard Award, its highest commendation.

MARTA was one of 16 transit systems nationwide to be honored for improving transit security and emergency management.

In April, the MARTA Police Department also received the Gold Standard and Standards of Excellence Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), making us the only transit system police department to receive top honors from both CALEA and TSA in the same year.

MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham, and the approximately 330 sworn officers serving under her command, appreciate the recognition we’ve received. But we are not resting on our laurels.

Law enforcement has been undergoing dramatic changes. In response, our department is melding traditional community policing techniques with 21st century solutions. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of law enforcement using innovative, customer-focused policing strategies, thanks in large measure to the support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

MARTA officers are, of course, primarily focused on engaging with our passengers, maintaining order and, when necessary, making arrests. MARTA’s police force is also responsible for meeting or exceeding national emergency response directives as a Tier One transit agency.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Tier One systems in large urban areas were deemed “high risk” by Homeland Security because of our respective passenger volumes, population densities and underground infrastructure. Under this federal designation, MARTA must demonstrate core capabilities in defending against potential acts of terrorism and other hazards. As such, we have embarked on a security and emergency management program that is a cornerstone of our efforts.

Throughout the year, MARTA conducts full-scale emergency preparedness exercises and joint security activities with multiple law-enforcement jurisdictions. MARTA police are also charged with focusing on long-term security initiatives – and the installation of closed-circuit cameras on all buses, trains and mobility (paratransit) vehicles – that are incorporated into the agency’s 10-year capital program.

MARTA’s Board of Directors and General Manager/CEO Keith Parker have made security a top strategic priority. By protecting customers and employees, MARTA is better positioned to boost ridership and increase revenues. Going forward, this means riders should expect:

• A more visible uniformed presence on the system.

• Strict enforcement of our new “code of conduct,” with violators suspended or permanently banned from MARTA.

• Use of our vehicle camera security system, partly funded by Homeland Security, as a “force multiplier” to deter crime and to counter potential terrorist threats.