(The Center Square) – Officials with Atlanta’s transit system promised safety for riders and penalties for those who vandalize the stations.
Officers from Denver’s transit agency will be helping the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department with safety during the World Cup Games in Atlanta, according to MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. The agency is prepared, but interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said he wanted to set expectations for the public.
“Just like it is unreasonable and unaffordable to have an officer on every corner and patrolling every street 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the cities and counties of the state we live in, work and play in, it is just as unreasonable and unaffordable to expect 24-7 law enforcement presence by MARTA on the 580 vehicles we deploy daily, in all 38 rail stations, in all of our bus intermodals, all around our administrative facilities, bus garages and rail yards on a daily basis,” Hunt said.
MARTA is hiring new officers and using off-duty police officers until permanent officers are hired, according to Hunt.
The Federal Transit Agency opened an investigation into the transit service after the stabbing death of a 66-year-old woman on a MARTA train. Hunt told the board that the letter is similar to those received by other transit agencies across the country.
“It’s important to note that the FTA maintains federal regulatory oversight over MARTA, and they can audit us any time, on any number of areas,” Hunt said.
MARTA receives 14.8% of its funding from the federal government, according to the agency’s most recent budget. The bulk of its funding, 62.6%, comes from a sales tax collected by the counties it serves. The remaining MARTA funding comes from passenger revenues, title and ad valorem taxes and other revenues.
Security planning began in September, Kreher said.
“We’ve been working very diligently with our state, local, federal partners and that’s culminated into a fantastic plan that we feel is going to be safe for everybody to come and enjoy this event,” Kreher said.
MARTA said Friday it will prosecute anyone who causes damage to or breaks the faregate glasses.
“We are watching you and if you intentionally damage a faregate by attempting to push through or in an act of vandalism, you will be caught and charged with a felony,” Kreher said. “A felony offense on your record is not worth $2.50. Pay your fare and do not tamper with or destroy fare gates or any MARTA property.”
Drones are part of a safety discussion around the games, according to the FBI. The agency seized three drones on Thursday.
The Department of Transportation has enacted drone restrictions around World Cup venues. The penalties are a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in jail, according to the FBI.