TriMet rolls out new security measures to improve rider safety, perception

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Public transit in the Portland area is rolling out added security measures to help keep riders safe.

TriMet’s new Security Operations Center will monitor their hotline and 9,000 camera feeds with 24/7 security after doubling their safety staff over the past two years.

With just a push of a button, riders can get immediately connected to TriMet security, and Blue Light phones, now seen at the Rose Quarter Transit Station, are the first of many to be installed along the Max lines.

But despite a drop in calls for police service, officials say they are still battling a perception that the system is unsafe. This comes as a recent survey found about 50 percent of people reported feeling safe on TriMet buses, with even less feeling safe on the MAX train.

However, TriMet hopes these new tools will help bring riders back.

One TriMet rider, Daniel Williams, told KOIN 6 News he feels safe on public transit most of the time, adding that “there have only been a couple incidents where I felt iffy.”

But Anthony Cantwell, another rider, said he used to feel safe — at least until a recent incident.

“About two weeks ago, I was assaulted on the 72 bus,” Cantwell said. “A guy came up from behind and started hitting me in the head.”

TriMet said they do not have a record of Cantwell’s assault, but he said he still appreciates these newly developed security measures.

“They’ve hired a lot more,” he said. “I think they’re doing a good job of attempting but I think some people just need to be excluded.”

TriMet Chief Safety and Security Officer Andrew Wilson said the updates will help “somebody in a mental health crisis, or somebody passed out on a seat next to us. We want to get a resource to that or have somebody deal with that. We built tools to do that.”

“Four hundred and seventy-five people now are working the Safety Security Department, but we needed to have a nerve center to be able to dispatch that amount of people and respond to those calls coming in,” Wilson said.

The hub located off of SE 17th Avenue in Portland is currently staffed by seven people, but that number is expected to grow.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.

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Joelle Jones

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