What We're Doing to Protect Bus Drivers
Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:27 PM
When two assaults occur on our Bus Operators within three days, it's a sign that we need to do more to make our system safer.
"I think it's coincidental...but nonetheless, unacceptable. One assault is too many," said Tim Kelly, METRO's assistant police chief.
Since Sunday's sexual assault on a woman bus operator, we have concentrated both uniformed and plainclothes police officers on the 2 Bellaire route and southwest part of town, said Kelly.
"We're doing everything we can to arrest this individual and to let operators know we're committed to their safety," he said.
But what changes are we implementing to make our drivers safer?
At Tuesday's meeting in which two operators attended from every facility - five men and five women - a lot of good ideas were mentioned. They fall into two categories, said Kelly, who attended the meeting: immediately actionable and others that will require more examination from management.
Here's the immediate action: We ordered pepper gel spray which should arrive next week. Training classes will then start and this operators' forum who met Tuesday will be the first test group.
Second, we will re-educate Bus Operators on emergency alarm procedures, what happens when it's activated and how to tell when your call for help has been heard by dispatch.
"Half the operators (at the meeting) didn't know that there's an indication an alarm has been received. They had been trained, but they don't use the alarm every day," explained Kelly.
Some things that will happen to beef up security in the next two weeks include:
* Safety supervisors will re-examine locations for layovers at the end of the line and evaluate those that are in dark, unlit locations. "Perhaps we should stay in more populated areas," said Kelly.
When a driver is at the end of the line, there is often a layover in which the driver must stay on the bus and wait - then turn back so he or she will be on time on the return route.
* We will clarify the policy of whether every passenger is required to disembark at the end of the line. Passengers who stay on board waiting for the bus to turn around and start the return trip often get agitated, not understanding why the operator must sit and wait to keep on schedule.
* We will deploy bus marshals - plainclothes METRO police officers who will be riding the buses, just as air marshals do on airplanes.
Many other suggestions were tossed out, including starting a bus safety campaign where passengers and drivers get involved. One person suggested drivers wear buttons that say: "METRO cares about my safety."
"We care about our bus operators - this is the backbone of our business," said Kelly. "We need to engage passengers to look out for their safety and make it a big awareness campaign," adding that cell phone users can call #MPD (#673) to report anything suspicious.