Random checks for commuters’ bags
On heightened alert, NJ Transit initiates anti-terror measures
BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer

Random baggage checks at rail and bus stations began this week as a part of NJ Transit’s increased terrorism alert.

“Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey,” according to a press release from the Governor’s Office, “today announced NJ Transit police will begin inspecting the bags and containers of randomly selected passengers at randomly selected stations and terminals throughout New Jersey’s mass transit system, starting Monday.”

Dan Stessel, a spokesman for NJ Transit, said in an interview earlier this week that the inspections can take place at any point of origin along the NJ Transit rail, light rail or bus lines.

“The inspections will continue for an indefinite period of time,” he said Monday.

Immediately after the recent terror attacks in London, both Codey and Gov. George Pataki, of New York, signed executive orders giving local and state police officers full enforcement powers on trains running between the two states.

Stessel said that only NJ Transit police will be conducting the baggage inspections.

“This is a NJ Transit police effort,” he said.

According to Stessel, the inspections will be structured.

“It is a very organized process,” he said, “with signage and tables set up.”

He said that since all stations are different, some stations will need partitions set up to “ensure a smooth process and keep the line moving.”

“Not that the lines were long at all today,” Stessel said Monday.

He said the police are given a “magic number” each day to help them with the randomness of the searches.

“Codey stressed that the inspections will be random,” according to the press release. “Racial or ethnic profiling will not be allowed or tolerated.”

Stessel said that the additional costs for this added security measure will be borne entirely by NJ Transit.

“Currently,” he said, “we are using additional resources that are on hand for level orange.”

Because the terror alert level was raised to orange after the recent bombings of mass transit vehicles in London, more of NJ Transit’s budget had to be allocated for security measures. But no additional government funding has been made available, according to Stessel.

He said that since 2001, the budget for the NJ Transit police has increased from $13 million to $30 million, which is being used to fund “an array of the latest technology from networked camera systems, enabling NJ Transit to monitor systems around the state, protecting critical infrastructure day and night.”

He said that there are explosion detection systems in place, new mobile command units, GPS systems on buses, and new crime scene investigation vehicles.

“We have been paying for much of the new security since 9/11 out of our own pocket in New Jersey,” said Stessel.

Recently, NJ Transit fares increased an average of 11.5 percent systemwide.

Stessel said at the time that last year the Homeland Security Appropriations Act allocated $150 million nationwide for transit security, and this year the figure, as it stands now, is $100 million.

“The federal funding is working in the wrong direction,” he said. “How much ends up being paid for by customers is really a function of the support available at the federal level and how it is divided up among the states. If we get adequate support, then our customers may not have to take the brunt of the costs for security.”

Stessel said that the funding is critical because he believes that bringing in the newest technology is the way to best keep the open mass transit system safe.

NJ Transit has been at an increased alert level since the July 7 bombings in London, and will remain so indefinitely, according to the press release.

“There is currently no specific threat information about possible attacks in New Jersey or the United States,” according to the press release. “Codey urged New Jersey’s residents to remain cautious, but to continue their daily lives.”