AIR MARSHALS TAKING THE TRAIN DEPLOYMENT ON AREA METROLINK TRAINS, STATIONS PART OF TRIAL PROGRAM.Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer Armed, undercover federal air marshals have been deployed to Metrolink trains and stations as part of a trial program to use officers on ground transportation systems, officials said Wednesday. The TSA TSA See tax-sheltered annuity (TSA). air marshals, K-9 crews and inspectors who are part of the Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States are being stationed at six cities across the nation to familiarize officers with local transit operations in the event of a terrorist threat or attack. ``Should a crisis occur, we want to be able to deploy resources in a timely manner,'' said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez. Melendez stressed there is no known security threat to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and that the teams are being deployed merely as a test. He could not say if TSA had plans to permanently staff air marshals on Los Angeles-area trains. ``This is basically preparedness pre·par·ed·ness n. The state of being prepared, especially military readiness for combat. Noun 1. preparedness - the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them training,'' said Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell. ``It's to drill so we can see how quickly we can deploy these assets in an emergency.'' Riders mostly welcomed the enhanced security even after a U.S. citizen was shot and killed last week during a confrontation with air marshals after the man claimed he had a bomb at the Miami airport. It was the first shooting by an air marshal since the program was expanded after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. reports. ``It's OK with me,'' said Metrolink rider Elsa Belvel, a retiree at Union Station waiting for her train back to Palmdale. She said this is the world we live in as a country at war, but added that a modest security enhancement should suffice. ``Let's not Let's Not is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in Boston University Graduate Journal in December 1954. It was written for no payment as a favour to the journal, and later appeared in the collection Buy Jupiter. overdo it ... because that puts fear in people,'' she said. Teams of fewer than 10 people in each community are being deployed to train, bus and ferry systems in Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore. In Los Angeles, there are two undercover officers, as well as inspectors and K-9 units, deployed. The teams are expected to be deployed for three days between Tuesday and Sunday. Additionally, Los Angeles will be getting as many as six explosive- sniffing sniff v. sniffed, sniff·ing, sniffs v.intr. 1. a. To inhale a short, audible breath through the nose, as in smelling something. b. To sniffle. 2. dogs through a separate TSA program to add canine canine or canid Any domestic or wild dog or doglike mammal (e.g., wolf, jackal, fox) in the family Canidae, found throughout the world except in Antarctica and on most ocean islands. teams to transportation systems nationwide. Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Cmdr. Dan Finkelstein, who oversees Metrolink and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, welcomed the extra ``eyes and ears'' of the TSA marshals who have been working with his officers. ``TSA has long been known for their role in airport security. They're now branching out to surface transportation - buses and trains,'' he said. ``They've been just an extension of our staff and Sheriff's Transit Services all along.'' Burbank resident Paul Barrows, who rode Metrolink into downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or on Wednesday, questioned whether guarding the commuter rail line was the best use of resources. ``I don't have a problem with it. ... I don't think there's a threat,'' he said. But LaTonya Jones of Van Nuys, who rode Metrolink with her mother to a doctor's appointment downtown, welcomed the extra protection, so long as officers act carefully. ``I really think it's a good idea; they can keep more (in touch with) what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. . ... I do think they should be cautious or careful,'' she said. Lisa Mascaro, (818) 713-3761 lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com |
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