Exploring the Use of Roving Security Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail and Bus Transit Security in the US Transportation and Development Institute

American Society of Civil Engineers

Exploring the Use of Roving Security Exploring the Use of Roving Security Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail

and Bus Transit Security in the USand Bus Transit Security in the US

Transportation and Development InstituteTransportation and Development InstituteOf the American Society of Civil EngineersOf the American Society of Civil Engineers

National TeleconferenceNational Teleconference

Thursday, March 25, 2004Thursday, March 25, 2004

James F. Broder, CFE, CPP, FACFE, PresidentJames F. Broder, CFE, CPP, FACFE, PresidentConfidential Business Consultants, LLCConfidential Business Consultants, LLC

And And Eva Lerner-Lam, PresidentEva Lerner-Lam, President

Palisades Consulting Group, Inc.Palisades Consulting Group, Inc.


The Problem: How can we The Problem: How can we Prevent and Deter Terrorism Prevent and Deter Terrorism

on Transit?on Transit? Rail and Bus Transit Rail and Bus Transit

Systems are open, and Systems are open, and no matter how many no matter how many video monitors or video monitors or canine patrols are canine patrols are deployed, it is simply deployed, it is simply not feasible to check not feasible to check each and every each and every passenger embarking passenger embarking on each and every on each and every segment of their segment of their journey journey


What is Practical?What is Practical?

"I don't know that we ought "I don't know that we ought to apply the same strategy to apply the same strategy that we're using with the that we're using with the airlines… Is it practical to airlines… Is it practical to have magnetometers for have magnetometers for everyone who gets on a everyone who gets on a subway? Is it practical to subway? Is it practical to search every bag that goes search every bag that goes on?" on?" -- Asa Hutchinson, Undersecretary of -- Asa Hutchinson, Undersecretary of Homeland Security, March 15, 2004Homeland Security, March 15, 2004


Roving Security InspectionsRoving Security Inspections

Modeled after Modeled after Roving Fare Roving Fare Inspections on Inspections on European and US European and US Light Rail SystemsLight Rail Systems

Currently used in Currently used in several countries in several countries in EuropeEurope


Roving Security InspectionsRoving Security Inspections

Frequent, unannounced inspections Frequent, unannounced inspections on buses, trains and in passenger on buses, trains and in passenger terminalsterminals

Aided by Explosives Detection Dogs Aided by Explosives Detection Dogs (EDD) and metal detectors(EDD) and metal detectors

Inspectors would be empowered to Inspectors would be empowered to issue citations and to make arrestsissue citations and to make arrests


Advantages of RSIAdvantages of RSI High visibility of such roving patrols High visibility of such roving patrols

throughout vehicles and terminals can throughout vehicles and terminals can provide effective deterrence to would-provide effective deterrence to would-be terrorists and reassurance to the be terrorists and reassurance to the public of a security presence. public of a security presence.

Low cost compared to other security Low cost compared to other security options, and can be used as a options, and can be used as a “building block” in deterring terrorism.“building block” in deterring terrorism.


For Discussion TodayFor Discussion Today1.1. What would be Standard Operating What would be Standard Operating

Procedures (SOPs) for Roving Security Procedures (SOPs) for Roving Security Inspections (RSIs)? Inspections (RSIs)?

2.2. How quickly can RSIs be established at rail How quickly can RSIs be established at rail and bus transit systems in the US? and bus transit systems in the US?

3.3. How much will RSIs cost transit agencies? How much will RSIs cost transit agencies? 4.4. What additional legal authority is necessary What additional legal authority is necessary

to enable effective RSI enforcement? (e.g., to enable effective RSI enforcement? (e.g., do transit police currently have sufficient do transit police currently have sufficient authority to search and arrest individuals?) authority to search and arrest individuals?)


For Discussion Today, con’d.For Discussion Today, con’d.5.5. What additional training/skills are needed What additional training/skills are needed

for RSIs? for RSIs?

6.6. What types of public information programs What types of public information programs for RSIs would be most effective? for RSIs would be most effective?

7.7. Would the RSIs themselves trigger an Would the RSIs themselves trigger an attack on board a transit vehicle? How can attack on board a transit vehicle? How can this risk be minimized? this risk be minimized?

8.8. What is the appropriate frequency of RSIs What is the appropriate frequency of RSIs on a commuter rail train? On a bus route?on a commuter rail train? On a bus route?


1.1. Model RSI Standard Model RSI Standard Operating Procedures?Operating Procedures?

The SOP for roving security The SOP for roving security inspectors can be the same as Code inspectors can be the same as Code Compliance Inspectors at any of the Compliance Inspectors at any of the light rail systems in the USlight rail systems in the US

Any modifications would be simple, Any modifications would be simple, but an adequate SOP, with minor but an adequate SOP, with minor changes, already existschanges, already exists


2.2. How quickly can RSIs be How quickly can RSIs be deployed?deployed?

RSIs can be established immediately RSIs can be established immediately (in many cases they already exist)(in many cases they already exist)

Trained personnel are already Trained personnel are already available with little to no change in available with little to no change in job assignment or dutiesjob assignment or duties


3.3. How much will RSIs cost How much will RSIs cost transit agencies?transit agencies?

Minimal additional cost, as the Minimal additional cost, as the trained personnel are already trained personnel are already available, in most casesavailable, in most cases


4.4. Additional legal authority Additional legal authority necessary?necessary?

Many systems employ transit police who Many systems employ transit police who have broad police powers, such as search, have broad police powers, such as search, seizure and arrest, the same as any sworn seizure and arrest, the same as any sworn police officer (it depends upon the police officer (it depends upon the jurisdiction)jurisdiction)

Even Code Compliance Inspectors have Even Code Compliance Inspectors have the ability to call in sworn officers at a the ability to call in sworn officers at a moment’s notice when they see, or moment’s notice when they see, or suspect a crime is being committed (And, suspect a crime is being committed (And, because they wear uniforms and have because they wear uniforms and have badges (and radios) they are often badges (and radios) they are often confused with sworn officers (Deterrence))confused with sworn officers (Deterrence))


5.5. Additional training/skills Additional training/skills needed?needed?

Probably not (Any uniformed transit Probably not (Any uniformed transit security personnel should possess security personnel should possess the required skills as a result of the required skills as a result of previous training)previous training)


6.6. Most Effective Types of Most Effective Types of Public Information Programs Public Information Programs

for RSIs?for RSIs? As much publicity as possible using As much publicity as possible using

every media availableevery media available First ,the riding public needs to be First ,the riding public needs to be

constantly reassuredconstantly reassured Second, the bad guys need to know that Second, the bad guys need to know that

the targets have been hardened the targets have been hardened (deterrence)(deterrence)


7.7. Would an RSI Itself Trigger Would an RSI Itself Trigger an Attack?an Attack?

NO--the absence of security often NO--the absence of security often makes a target more attractive (the makes a target more attractive (the presence of security, if effectively presence of security, if effectively deployed, can often act as a deployed, can often act as a deterrence to an attack)deterrence to an attack)

BUT--in security there are no BUT--in security there are no guaranteesguarantees


8.8. What is the appropriate What is the appropriate frequency of RSIs?frequency of RSIs?

All patrols MUST be randomAll patrols MUST be random Set schedules should be avoided Set schedules should be avoided


Other Important Other Important ConsiderationsConsiderations

The trade-off to security is always The trade-off to security is always cost and inconveniencecost and inconvenience

We must avoid becoming paranoid We must avoid becoming paranoid and over reactingand over reacting

In the absence of continued threats, In the absence of continued threats, how much do we want to how much do we want to inconvenience the riding public? inconvenience the riding public?


In SummaryIn Summary RSIs may be a cost-effective, “building RSIs may be a cost-effective, “building

block” security strategy for transit block” security strategy for transit agenciesagencies

RSIs may be implemented quickly since:RSIs may be implemented quickly since: SOPs already exist for roving fare inspection SOPs already exist for roving fare inspection

and can be adapted for security inspectionand can be adapted for security inspection Most training, skills and enforcement powers Most training, skills and enforcement powers

already exist at transit agenciesalready exist at transit agencies

Documents

Exploring the Use of Roving Security Inspections to Increase Post 3/11 Rail and Bus Transit Security in the US Transportation and Development Institute