Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is reinforcing its commitment to rider and employee safety through a dual investment in enhanced security services and expanded mental health response efforts across the transit system, the agency announced.
The DART board approved a contract modification to continue and expand transit security officer services, alongside an extension of its partnership with Parkland Health to support the nationally recognized DART Cares program, an initiative focused on connecting vulnerable individuals to critical mental health services.
Together, DART officials said these efforts represent a comprehensive, layered approach to public safety that prioritizes prevention, visibility, and compassionate intervention.
Strengthening Security
The approved contract modification will increase funding for transit security officer services to a total not-to-exceed amount of $32.1 million, ensuring a continued and visible security presence across DART’s buses, trains, stations, and facilities.
The highly trained security officers work alongside DART Police to enhance system-wide safety, protect infrastructure, and support customers through proactive engagement and customer service.
“By increasing our security presence and investing in smarter, more responsive safety strategies, we are demonstrating our commitment to making the DART system safer for everyone who relies on it every day,” said Chairman Randall Bryant.
Security personnel will operate continuously across the system, ensuring uninterrupted protection regardless of weather, emergencies, or operational challenges, while also enhancing the overall customer experience.
Expanding Mental Health Support
In tandem with increased security, DART is expanding its DART Cares Multi-Disciplinary Response Team (MDRT) through a five-month extension of its agreement with Parkland Health. The program embeds mental health clinicians alongside DART Police to respond to individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health crises on the system.
The initiative is designed to reduce reliance on transit as a last resort while connecting individuals to appropriate care and community-based services, said DART officials.
“Public safety is not just about enforcement, it’s about understanding and addressing the root causes of what we see in our system every day,” said Chief Charles Cato, DART Police Chief. “By pairing officers with mental health professionals, we are creating safer outcomes for everyone, our riders, our employees, and the individuals who need help the most.”
The DART Cares program has been implemented in coordination with regional partners and continues to evolve as a model for collaborative, community-based transit safety solutions.
Building A Holistic Approach
The investments build on DART’s broader safety strategy, which includes systemwide security enhancements such as thousands of cameras, centralized monitoring, and coordinated regional partnerships, efforts that have already contributed to a reduction in violent crime across the system, DART officials said.
By combining increased security presence with compassionate, data-driven interventions, DART said it is redefining what safety looks like in public transportation, ensuring a system that is not only secure but also welcoming and responsive to the needs of all riders.
