St. Louis Metro names new public safety leadership team

St. Louis’ Metro Transit selected three people to lead the transit system’s Public Safety team: Stephen Berry, GM, public safety; Kevin B. Scott, director, security; and Vernon L. Summer, manager, contract security. The new leadership will officially join Metro Transit in early September 9, and will be responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of the transit system’s comprehensive security program.

Their addition to the Metro Public Safety team is another part of a proactive, collaborative approach to security that Metro Transit has implemented to respond to customer concerns and address recommendations from the MetroLink Security Assessment commissioned by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and conducted by independent contractor WSP. Over the past year, this approach has focused on building stronger relationships with law enforcement partners and other regional organizations to improve communication better coordinate the deployment of security resources and advance a community and customer-focused security strategy.

Berry will lead Metro Transit’s security program as its new GM, public safety. In this role, he will be responsible for leading the creation and implementation of the transit system’s comprehensive security program, and all integrated security and policing activities. Berry brings extensive experience in transit safety, security, and operations to this position. He is currently the deputy director, transit safety and workforce development, at the Center for Urban Transportation Research, where he is responsible for the statewide operations, safety, security, and workforce development for transit systems across Florida. He was previously a deputy director at LYNX, Orlando’s transit system; a consultant to the Florida Department of Transportation; and a public safety manager in southern California.

Scott, Metro Transit’s new director, security, will lead Metro’s Public Safety Team and its collaboration with regional law enforcement partners and contracted security personnel. Scott has served as the chief of police in Ballwin, Mo., since 2016, and has been with the Ballwin Police Department for 27 years. A respected member of the region’s law enforcement community, his previous success in creating a community-oriented policing strategy in Ballwin will support the refinement of Metro Transit’s customer-focused approach to safety and security.

As the new Manager of Contract Security, Summers will provide leadership, training, and strategic direction to Metro’s contract security team. Summers bring nearly 30 years of experience to this role, and has a successful track record of developing effective police and security programs for both community law enforcement and corporate security. He was previously a lieutenant with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, chief of police for the city of Bella Villa, and was most recently director, public safety, at the St. Louis Galleria. Metro Transit is currently proceeding with a competitive procurement process for its contract security services.

The new leadership team assume responsibility for security operations for Metro Transit from Scott Grott, GM of MetroLink, who has been overseeing daily operations for the Metro Public Safety team on an interim basis for the last seven months. During this period, Grott has led Metro Transit’s safety and security strategy, which has increased the presence of security and law enforcement personnel on the system, and improved communication and coordination between law enforcement, security, and transit operations.