[IMAGE]D-C-Metro-random-searches-10.jpg[/IMAGE]The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (Metro) Metro Transit Police advised customers they will conduct random inspections of carry-on items, as part of the continuously changing law enforcement programs designed to keep the system safe.

Based on programs now successfully used in New York and Boston, Metro Transit Police will randomly identify carry-on items for inspection at station entrances.

The inspections, which will be conducted in conjunction with Transportation Security Administration officials, are expected to take only minutes and designed to be non-intrusive, as police will randomly select bags or packages to check for hazardous materials using ionization technology as well as K-9 units trained to detect explosive materials. Carry on items will generally not be opened and physically inspected unless the equipment indicates a need for further inspection.

Anyone who is randomly selected and refuses to submit their carry-on items for inspection will be prohibited from bringing those items into the station. Customers who encounter a baggage checkpoint at a station entrance may choose not to enter the station if they would prefer not to submit their carry-ons for inspection.

 METRO TV:To see the explanatory demonstration video of an inspection, click here.