Metro Inspections: Police Begin Random Searches

By Broadside Reporter Hayley Roder.

Metro Transit Police Department issued a press release regarding their new bag inspection program.

Signs have been posted outside every Metro station to inform riders of the program, which entails selecting riders at random and inspecting any baggage they are carrying, such as purses, backpacks and briefcases.

These inspection sites will be outside of stations and include “teams of five to eight Metro Transit Police officers and a trained explosive-detection dog,” according to the MTPD press release.

Those who do not allow police to inspect their baggage will not be allowed to enter the Metro system.

“Security is a top priority at Metro,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “We’re committed to enhancing the safety of our riders and employees and security inspections are an important part of that effort. It’s important to know that we have received no threat to the Metro system, but we have the responsibility to do everything we can to keep it safe.”
The main reason for these inspections is to “deter terrorist attacks and increase the overall safety of the Metro system,” explained Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn.

Though the inspections are intended to be brief, eight to 15 seconds long some George Mason University students and Metro riders see them as a hassle and an infringement of their rights.

Freshman James Cameron said, “Even if security is a concern, the Fourth Amendment clearly says we have a right to not be searched without cause. In addition, the right to privacy has been inferred, making these searches even more unconstitutional.”

“I ride the Metro because it’s cheap and convenient. If these random searches change that, then I might make a change of my own,” said Cameron.

Other riders see the inspections as beneficial to their safety and do not believe that their use of the Metro will be affected.

“I don’t feel infringed upon in any way,” said graduate student Jeremy Doran. “If that is the measure they deem necessary to keep myself and everyone else safe, then I am willing to let it happen.”

Freshman Mike Culp agreed. “As long as the checks are brief, I think it will provide safer transportation for Metro riders.”

Junior Don Bradner added, “This does not infringe on our rights—I’d rather keep the Metro safe, and I will still ride it as usual.”

Though bag inspections will only be used periodically, and particularly when security is heightened, they will not be announced beforehand.

Because the 15 seconds a search can take can also be the difference between catching a train and being left at the platform, riders should allow themselves extra time.