Metro continues to deploy its Thruvision passive passenger screening system on the Metro System to help keep its customers safe and secure. You may have seen its most recent appearance at the Wilshire/Vermont Red Line Station earlier this week.
The system was purchased by Metro last year to augment its security presence and is designed to unobtrusively screen individuals for concealed threats. The units can identify both metallic and non-metallic objects and can screen rail and bus patrons without disrupting foot traffic to vehicles.
Thruvision units can be placed randomly at locations throughout the transit system and are equipped with software that quickly identify objects that block the naturally-occurring waves produced by a person’s body.
We’ve received a couple of emails about this screening system this week and wanted to reiterate a few important things to remember if you encounter the screening system at a Metro station near you:
- There are signs alerting passengers in advance that they will be subjected to a screening and possible inspection.
- The system is complemented by an increased presence of law enforcement. Officers are there to provide an additional layer of screening if needed, but their goal is not to physically search or interact in any other way with patrons. Increased law enforcement presence also acts as a visible deterrent that helps keep patrons safe.
- The technology does not emit radiation of any kind, so it’s completely safe to use.
- No anatomical details are displayed.
Metro has been steadily improving its system and security initiatives since it transitioned to a multi-agency partnership with Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Long Beach Police in 2017.
The public’s perception of safety has been a key customer concern in past Metro customer surveys.
While the Metro System is safe and there are no current threats, safety is Metro’s No. 1 priority. We now have more police presence and new security tools on the transit system, and that’s a good thing, as it improves the customer experience for all Metro riders.
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects
I can’t believe you that it’s safe to use after the TSA lied to us about the airport machines safety. How do we opt out?
You opt out by using a station where the devices aren’t. That is what any person with evil intent and smarts will do. Since they are only receiving units, you are safe. But that also means that there are was to mess with them. Wearing foil lined clothes can block some of the emissions. The system will also see a squirt gun as a gun. Further there are other methods for getting around the system. Even the airport back-scatter X-ray systems have weaknesses. This is security theater, not real security.
Perhaps Metro should be checking its infrastructure with these new X-ray machines?
https://youtu.be/3NXJAYUwlC8
If Metro rented station space to vendors, wouldn’t that likely generate more than enough revenue to pay someone to maintain a restroom? Any American who’s visited Taipei, Tokyo, or Seoul has like me no doubt been struck by the vibrancy of their metro stations which, despite their countries’ and cities’ much smaller economies, contain popular restaurants, all kinds of shops, and yes — public restrooms.
It is extremely important that law enforcement officers keep an eye on what is going on at all stations and on the trains.I have seen many times that the officers stayed together and chat. They probably think nothing will happen. When things do happen, that will be too late. Really, they shouldn’t do that. The officers used to go on the trains and check the pass and others. I hope they continue to do the same.That will reduce unwanted passengers.Things get so bad, some of my friends don’t want to take trains any more.They are still filthy and noisy and people continue to drink and eat.
If they want to scan my weiner, more power to them. They should see what I wear at the beach in Santa Monica. I always ride the Expo Line shirtless, and no one says anything.
Cool. Now can we get something else transit riders want — namely, restrooms? If you don’t build restrooms in stations, the stations become restrooms.
Hi Eric;
I think one approach is to try to secure public restrooms in developments near stations. I think getting actual restrooms in stations — here or in other American cities — is still going to be a long shot because of upkeep and maintenance costs and safety concerns.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
From the headlines in the related stories it looks like everyone learned in 2019 that associating yourself with TSA is embarrassing. If only Metro felt the same amount of shame subjecting an entire station’s ridership to a search. It’s the passenger’s fault for riding the only transit system available.