Metro officials said Thursday that the terrorist plot uncovered by federal law enforcement officials could lead to random screenings and other security measures inside Metro stations.
Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn said the transit agency was more vulnerable to attack than some other transportation systems.
“We’re an open system. We don’t have the benefits of aviation [security measures],” Taborn said, explaining that while security checkpoints and airport-style x-ray scanners were not in Metro’s immediate future, the transit agency could consider some forms of personal, randomized screening. In 2008, Metro had announced it would start conducting random bag searches, though none has been reported.
“It doesn’t mean that I’m going into your backpack,” Taborn said. “It could be simply a swab to make sure you don’t have any explosives on your body or things of that nature.”
Taborn said he also hoped to increase the presence of uniformed police in Metro stations.
Richard Sarles, the transit agency’s interim general manager, said he and other Metro officials were continually reassessing the types of security measures needed to keep riders safe from external security threats.
“As we learn things, not necessarily just related to yesterday, we re-evaluate what our posture is with regard to terrorist threats. And that’s something we’re always doing and will continue to do,” Sarles said.
