Last week, Portland, Ore.-based TriMet GM Neil McFarlane and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a $1.2 million grant to complete installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at 10 stations that currently do not have cameras. The grant also will fund security improvements at some TriMet facilities.

TriMet has 85 MAX stations and all but 10 have CCTV security cameras installed on the platforms.

"TriMet’s top priority is to operate a safe and secure transit system," said McFarlane. "With partners like TSA, we’re able to continue expanding our efforts that help reduce incidents of crime on our system."

The agency provides about 100 million trips a year on its buses and trains; 36 million on MAX. During 2010, there were 471 incidents of reported crime on MAX, most were minor or property crimes. That averages about one in every 76,000 trips on MAX.

Oregon Federal Security Director for the TS AMike Irwin said that $1.2 million grant is the sixth awarded to TriMet to add cameras to the stations and enhance security.

"TSA works closely with TriMet to ensure the security of riders throughout the system, and on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, we’re pleased to provide funding for additional MAX station cameras," said Irwin. "As one of only a handful of airports in the country with light rail service into the terminal, our security resources are a critical force multiplier when combined with TriMet’s robust efforts."

The TSA grant will add security cameras at the final 10 MAX stations by summer 2012.

Video from CCTV cameras has been used successfully to prosecute crimes against the transit system and its customers. In addition to CCTV at station platforms, TriMet also has security cameras on all MAX trains and two-thirds of its buses.