BART Counter-Terrorism Team Patrolling Trains
OAKLAND (KCBS) - A new team of transit police officers has begun patrolling BART trains, walking through the cars to deter any potential terrorist attack.
The Critical Asset Patrol Team deployed since Jan. 10 will also deal with petty crime in the system while the rest of BART's police force focuses on parking lots and station platforms, said spokesman Linton Johnson.
"We want to have high visibility. We want to deter anybody from trying to do something bad to BART and having these officers out there is going to be an excellent deterrent. We have lots of other measures in place that we won't talk about," he said.
KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:
Johnson said passengers have routinely asked for a greater police presence on the trains.
BART Police Lt. Aaron Ledford said key areas for the patrol include some of the system's most vulnerable spots such as the Transbay Tube. The new team is taking counter terror classes funded with a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
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