WeGo Public Transit announced, alongside Mayor Freddie O’Connell and MNPD Chief John Drake, a series of changes to strengthen personal and public safety around Nashville’s transit system.
Reviewing Security and Developing a Plan
The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority Board voted to approve a new security firm contract as part of several upgrades to WeGo security coverage. This action was made after a 14-month safety and security review by a national transportation system safety and security firm.
The review included support from MNPD, site visits, and interviews. WeGo is proposing a 67% increase in staffing hours of coverage for security officers at the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central and the Nestor operations and maintenance facility.
The plan also calls for a mobile security unit to patrol onboard buses and at specified bus stops in the system.
“We know that as ridership increases, security has to commensurately increase,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “That’s why we included funding for key security upgrades in our Choose How You Move plan. Captain Williams will work with Chief Drake to assess needs and create an environment that ensures all Nashvillians feel safe using public transportation, and the MTA Board has approved several immediate steps to boost overall security at key facilities.”
The First Transit Liaison
MNPD appointed veteran police Captain Brian Williams as the department’s first-ever permanent transit liaison. Williams will advance public safety at WeGo’s hub downtown and at neighborhood transit centers beginning on March 1.
“Captain Williams will serve as an important resource for the police department and WeGo management as both entities work together to identify and then implement protocols to enhance safety throughout the entire WeGo system -- from transit centers to bus stops and buses,” Chief Drake said. “Safety on public transit isn’t just about addressing incidents after they happen, it’s about preventing them in the first place. With the ramp up of Mayor O’Connell’s Choose How You Move initiative, now is the time for the police department to have a captain focused every day on transit safety in Nashville and could lead up to the establishment of a Transit Division in our police department.”
Williams will maintain offices at both police headquarters and WeGo Central. He will work with WeGo management and Archangel, the system’s new security company, to focus on data-driven decision-making and proactively address safety issues and concerns.
This includes the consideration of ideas and recommendations from commuters and community members on how to improve transit security further. Williams’s work will be regularly reported to MNPD leadership.
Contracting Archangel Protective Services
The security firm contract was up for renewal as part of the regular process. The approved multi-year contract with Archangel Protective Services of Nashville will go into effect on April 1.
Archangel has other contracts with Metro Nashville and federal agencies. The proposal would increase the overall WeGo security budget by $6.3 million. Future funding is expected to be assisted by Choose How You Move funding.
As Williams transitions into the new role, the police department will continue to promote safety at WeGo Central through a periodic undercover presence, extra-duty uniformed officers, and visits by on-duty Central Precinct personnel.
