DART lauded for increased light rail security efforts

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) plans to increase security on its light rail trains by adding more security cameras and some kind of officer — police, security guards, or unarmed fare enforcement officers — on every train was lauded by the city council’s Public Safety Committee, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Major crimes have ticked up on DART since dipping down to 566 Part I offenses — the most serious crimes, including robbery, rape, theft, and aggravated assault — in 2014, according to the department's statistics. Through October, the department had recorded 688 Part I crimes.

In December, DART's board of directors approved spending $1.7 million for 30 additional security guards, provided by contract with Walden Security. The agency has also already installed 39 of the first 48 cameras on its trains, which is set to be completed by March, and will install another 50 or more in the following year. For the full story, click here. For the full story, click here.