TriMet to increase security measures

Portland, Ore.-based TriMet, with the support of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).has announced further expansion of the agency's security measures, including hiring more police officers, increasing fare inspection and adding more cameras to MAX stations.

The agency will hire 15 police officers, bringing the total number of budgeted officers from 43 to 58, doubling the number of actual officers who were working for the Transit Police Division (TPD) a year ago. TriMet pays for all costs related to police officers.

TriMet will also hire additional field supervisors and combine them with fare inspectors, doubling the number of staff from 15 to 30, who will check fares and issue warnings, tickets and exclusions for those found without a valid fare.

Mike Irwin, Oregon Federal Security Director for the TSA, announced a $1 million grant for TriMet to add more security cameras to MAX platforms, as well as tools to work with first responders to better respond to a transit-related attack or emergency. When these cameras are installed, every Gresham station will have CCTV. Currently, 41 of the 64 MAX stations have CCTV cameras, many funded with TSA grants.