Dallas Area Rapid Transit is adding more officer patrols and increasing the number of security guards as part of its ongoing effort to improve security throughout the system.
Additional police officers have been assigned to the three transit facilities in the West End section of Downtown Dallas — West End Station, CBD West Transfer Center, and Rosa Parks Plaza. These are some of DART's busiest locations. The stepped-up patrols bring the number of officers Monday through Friday to four on the West End Station platform and two each at Rosa Parks Plaza and CBD West Transfer Center.
DART's West Transfer Center and Rosa Parks Plaza are used to transfer between bus routes and rail stations. The West Transfer Center is bounded by Lamar Street, San Jacinto Street, Griffin Street and Pacific Avenue, near West End Station. Rosa Parks Plaza is adjacent to both facilities on Lamar between Pacific and Elm streets.
Additionally, DART is deploying 29 contracted and uniformed security guards located on strategic rail platforms. There are plans to add another 30 security guards in 2018.
Board reinforces agency commitment to security
During its November 14 meeting, the transit agency's Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution renewing its commitment to enhancing security system-wide. The resolution calls on agency staff to increase the number and visibility of transit police and expand the use of technology, such as cameras at transit facilities and on vehicles to improve customer safety.
More security technology on the way
DART's board is reviewing plans to add cameras to all 163 light rail vehicles in the fleet. Presently 19 rail cars have the cameras and work continues to add them to 29 of the agency's newest rail cars.
DART rail platforms and buses already have cameras.
More than 3,000 smartphone-using customers have downloaded the new "DART Say Something" app, helping report incidents directly from their phones. The free app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
