Amtrak ups police patrols
Makes no change in carry-on baggage
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Friday, August 11, 2006
GALESBURG - With airline security stepped up after a plot to blow up a number of planes flying from London to the U.S. was foiled, Amtrak has increased police visibility and extended police tours of duty from eight to 12 hours. Other security measures also have been increased.Contacted this morning in Chicago, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari sent a prepared statement about changes in security.
While there is no specific threat against Amtrak or other U.S. ground-based transportation, the passenger rail service is complying with the Department of Homeland Security alert level for non-aviation transportation, which remains at yellow.
The alert level for planes flying from the United Kingdom to the United States is at the highest level, red, while planes going from the United States to the United Kingdom are on orange alert.
Amtrak is using patrols by K-9 detection teams at major stations. Ticket agents are required to ask passenger buying tickets to provide a photo I.D. Using a ticket verification system issued in 2004 by the Transportation Security Administration, 10 percent of Amtrak passengers have been asked since the directive to produce valid ID on board trains and the name on the ticket is compared to the name on the I.D. Thursday, Amtrak raised to 50 percent the percentage of passengers aboard trains who will be asked for ticket verification.
There is no change in the regulations for carry-on baggage. Amtrak is more vigorously enforcing its existing policy, according to the prepared release, which requires all checked and carry-on baggage to be tagged with the owner's name and address. Amtrak is providing luggage tags to passengers who need them. Random sweeps of both carry-on and checked baggage by K-9 detection teams is continuing.
The company also has reminded its 19,000 employees to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity.
