Thompson: Rail, Mass Transit Security Importance

Thompson Emphasizes Importance of Rail and Mass Transit Security

February 19, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Amtrak announced a new security regime consisting of roving patrols and select passenger bag screening procedures to better secure their rail operations. History tells us that terrorists have an interest in attacking rail and mass transit systems around the globe. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, has consistently advocated for better security plans to harden our nation’s rail and transit systems and ensure its resiliency. In response to today’s Amtrak announcement, Chairman Thompson released the following statement:

“Amtrak should be applauded for taking steps to secure passenger rail from known vulnerabilities, but this initiative is only one organization’s contribution to a larger security framework that DHS has yet to engineer. ‘Random’ baggage screening can be effective so long as it is truly random and not a merely a mechanism for profiling certain travelers,” said Rep. Thompson.

ENDS

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