James Spiller, DART Chief of Police, introduces the agency's "See Something, Say Something" app to a customer.
DART
2 min to read
James Spiller, DART Chief of Police, introduces the agency's "See Something, Say Something" app to a customer.
DART
More than 100 Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) employees joined DART police and fare enforcement officers across the agency’s service area to listen to customers, tell them about new security initiatives, and thank them for riding.
DART is adding security officers and new cameras on platforms, buses, and trains. A new mobile phone app, “DART Say Something,” is also part of the initiative. Employees spread out to promote it as the easiest, most discreet way to report safety concerns directly to DART Police.
The app allows customers to text descriptions, send photos and videos, and report suspicious activity. It provides safety alerts issued by DART Police, allows users to share their location on a map and indicate whether they need help, and works with the DART mobile website. More than 5,500 smartphone-using customers have downloaded the app. The free app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
More police and security officers have been assigned to some of DART’s busiest locations. DART also is deploying 29 contracted and uniformed security officers located on strategic rail platforms, with plans to add another 30 security guards this year to help provide a uniformed presence on every train by the spring.
DART has recently added cameras to 48 of its light rail vehicles and will install them on the full 163 car fleet within two years. DART rail platforms and buses already have cameras.
The Plan is CTA's formal response to an FTA Special Directive issued in December and details how the agency will significantly expand the law enforcement surge it launched.
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
During a safety blitz, Metra employees will visit one of the railroad’s 243 stations during the morning rush hour, distributing educational materials on train and grade-crossing safety, answering questions, and listening to riders’ safety concerns.
Operated in partnership with Tech Valley Security, trained CDTA Ambassadors will be on select routes and will rotate throughout CDTA’s route network. Their presence is intended to provide customers with an approachable, visible resource focused on assistance and engagement.
Customers have always been able to report concerns through the CATS Customer Service line or the “Report a Problem to CATS” feature in the CATS-Pass mobile app; however, CATS has also integrated a Text-a-Tip line, giving riders multiple, easy-to-use channels to get support.
