February 28, 2008

TriMet & Gresham create Eastside Precinct

Ten officers will be dedicated to patrolling MAX and buses east of Gateway Transit Center

TriMet and the City of Gresham today announced details of an agreement to expand police presence on MAX and buses in East County. Effective April 1, an Eastside Precinct will begin operation with six officers patrolling the transit system between Gateway Transit Center and Cleveland Ave MAX stations. The precinct is part of a year-long pilot project that will grow to 10 officers by July 1.

"This dedicated precinct puts more officers on the system and allows deployment focused on problem areas,"said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.  "This is a new way to patrol our system, and we believe it will be an effective tool."

Since November, Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis directed two Gresham police officers to patrol the MAX line in his city to respond to safety and security concerns of riders.

"Our two Gresham police officers demonstrated that results are possible on light rail," said Gresham Mayor Shane T. Bemis. "It's great to see TriMet answer our request for ten additional officers and the Eastside Precinct. We know this partnership will deliver the needed results for this community."

Eastside Precinct details

1. The precinct will be under the direction of the Transit Police Division (TPD), which is led by Portland Police Commander Vince Jarmer.
2. Six officers will be assigned to the precinct patrolling the 12 MAX stations between Gateway Transit Center and Cleveland Ave effective April 1. Two additional officers will begin work on May 15, and another two by July 1.
3. TriMet is hiring five new officers for the TPD East Precinct and reassigning existing TPD officers to bring the staffing level to 10 officers.
4. TriMet pays for all police officers assigned to the Transit Police Division.
5. TriMet's Hansen has directed that TPD officers spend up to 70 percent of their time on MAX trains and buses.
6. Gresham Police officers will respond to TriMet incidents when TPD officers are not working.
7. 9-1-1 will still dispatch officers to an incident, with the closest police unit responding.
8. The precinct will be housed within the Gresham Police Department offices.
9. Over the next 12 months, TriMet and Gresham will monitor the effectiveness of the precinct and determine if any changes are necessary.

Other security improvements

In addition to an Eastside Precinct, TriMet is adding a Westside Precinct that will be operational by mid-March. Five officers will be assigned to the Westside Precinct to patrol the MAX and bus system west of the Sunset Transit Center. In addition to these security improvements, TriMet has added more contract security, closed circuit TV security cameras, improved lighting and improved sight lines at MAX platforms. Additionally, TriMet is fixing faulty ticket vending machines and increasing fare inspection, and contracting with rider advocates who work with youth to prevent gang activity on the MAX system. Police also have an extended Interdiction Command, where rowdy or intimidating riders can be immediately removed from the transit system for up to six hours. And, effective March 1, repeat juvenile offenders violating the TriMet code will be taken to juvenile detention for up to 36 hours where officials will work with the youths and their families to stop the activity.