What’s new?
Eric Robins was appointed as chief, along with Assistant Chief Joseph Rose and Captain Jeremy Benoit.
The trio will support the organization's previously implemented safety teams. Originally approved by the CapMetro board in 2021, the organization has developed a three-pronged approach for public safety.
The specialized transit police department, which recently received the green light from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, is just one component of the board’s strategy.
The Transit Police Department will work alongside the agency’s public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists to respond quickly to transit safety needs across the metro.
The new transit-dedicated police department will be on call for when law enforcement is needed. Officers will be trained in crisis intervention, as well as people-centric and impartial policing.
Public safety ambassadors are the “eyes and ears on the ground,” according to CapMetro documents. These trained individuals are intended to handle the disruptive, nonviolent safety concerns and currently consists of 24 ambassadors, one manager and three supervisors.
Often these team members help patrol hot spots within the transit system, or areas that have high levels of quality-of-life issues and suspicious activity, according to a review of the team’s first year. Ambassadors often handle things like:
- Individual welfare checks
- Lost children
- Trespassing
- Loitering
- Vandalism
- Suspicious activity or packages
Put in perspective
Concerns over safety is not something new for the organization. During a board meeting following the induction of new police department leadership, several bus operators voiced their day-to-day run-ins with unsafe behavior.
Katina Brown, a CapMetro bus operator, told the board just two weeks ago she was nearly assaulted by a passenger riding the bus.
“He proceeded to kick the door, he started cursing, and then he directed his anger towards me,” she said. “Thankfully, there was one brave passenger on the bus who was willing to come to my defense.”
Brown expressed her hope that CapMetro will consider having security personnel riding the buses regularly to ensure immediate help should a safety issue arise.
Not alone in her experience, several other drivers recounted many instances when either their safety or a passenger's was compromised. It was also noted that current support from supervisors is lacking.
“Are we waiting for a fatality to happen on the bus?” Carlos Martinez, a CapMetro bus operator, asked board members.
Looking ahead
CapMetro board Chair Jeffery Travillion outlined how the new program is intended to target these types of incidents. Travillion also said the agency has been working with the union representing CapMetro drivers to increase safety for transit operators.
The agency has indicated plans to increase the number of security cameras on vehicles and facilities to help identify and resolve issues more quickly.
Currently, the organization is looking to fill remaining positions on its Transit Police Department.
Riders may report any incidents by using the CapMetro App, visiting the website or by texting 512-488-4200.
