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(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors unanimously approved a $1,000,000 increase to its operating budget earlier this week to enhance security services and improve passenger safety.
According to SacRT, the funding will now be allocated across three key areas:
- Transit Ambassadors: The plan is to expand the TA team from 40 to 50 employees, with small pay increases to help with retention
- Security Operations Center: SacRT will hire two additional employees to improve camera monitoring and incident response
- Security Guards: More security guard staffing across light rail trains, stations, and parking lots
The funding was approved just over four months after a SacRT transit ambassador claimed self-defense in the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old during a physical altercation over vaping on a bus.
“It calls for really good judgment,” said SacRT Board Member, Roger Dickinson. “It calls for being mindful of what’s going to be best to protect passenger safety and security.”
The investment also comes as Sacramento Police reassigns its transit officers back to patrol, to help meet emergency response needs citywide. Now, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office will step in to fill those roles. Sgt. Amar Gandhi tells FOX40 SCSO will add a lieutenant, two sergeants, and several deputies.
“They do respond to calls for service in those RT areas, but there will be a lot of proactive work as well,” Sgt. Gandhi said. “They’re… looking for problems before they become problems.”
With the newly allocated funding, Dickinson says it will provide passengers with additional layers of safety.
“It’s calibrated to have the right level of response for the particular incident,” Dickinson said. “I do see us making a long-term commitment because we know that safety is one of the key elements in attracting and keeping riders. And so, we want to make sure that everybody is confident that when they ride a train or they ride a bus, it’s going to be a safe and comfortable ride.”
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Noah Anderson
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