[IMAGE]D-C-Metro-MTPD-Safe-Communities-Event-102109-1FULL.jpg[/IMAGE] The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) to emphasize the importance of community partnerships in fighting crime.

Metro Transit Police Deputy Chief Dave Webb joined local and federal law enforcement officials on Wednesday at the Gallery Pl-Chinatown Metrorail station for a "Celebrate Safe Communities" event highlighting the efforts in and around the Washington region to keep communities safe.

"Celebrate Safe Communities" is a DOJ-supported initiative designed to help spotlight communities’ crime prevention efforts, enhance public awareness of crime prevention and safety messages, and recruit year-round support for ongoing prevention activities that help keep neighborhoods safe from crime.

“Metro is a common thread that ties together communities throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia,” said Webb. “The Metro Transit Police Department relies on its partnerships with a multitude of law enforcement agencies to help us keep the transit system and the people who use it as safe as possible.”

Metro Transit Police partner with about two dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including: the City of Alexandria Police; City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; Amtrak Police; Arlington County Police; Arlington County Sheriff’s Office; Bowie Police; Falls Church Police; Fairfax City Police; Fairfax County Police; Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Hyattsville Police; Metropolitan Police; Montgomery County Police; Prince George’s County Police; Rockville City Police; Takoma Park Police; Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Park Police; U.S. Capitol Police; U.S. Marshal’s Service and the U.S. Secret Service.

Earlier this month, MTPD distributed free steering wheel locks to customers who park at Metrorail stations as part of Crime Prevention Month. Additionally, Metro Transit Police introduced a new crime-fighting tool, police T3 vehicles, which will add to the department’s efforts to patrol the Metro system’s 50 parking lots.

For more MTPD safety and crime prevention tips, visit http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/transit_police/crime_prev.cfm.