AUSTIN, Texas — CapMetro has plans to add private, unarmed security guards to some of its major bus stops and transit centers across Austin, in an effort to boost safety among riders.
The major transit hubs included are Republic Square Park, South Congress Transit Center, North Lamar Transit Center and Tech Ridge Park & Ride.
"We want to start at least with a handful and see if we need to expand," Gardner Tabon, CapMetro's executive vice president of systemwide accessibility and chief safety officer, said during the transit agency meeting on Jan. 17.
It's a first for CapMetro, which decided to take action based on feedback it received from the public, customers and its employees, who felt a greater presence was needed.
Derrick Hagan said he rides the bus every day and has been doing so for the past 20 years. He noted that over the years, his daily rides have become more dangerous and he feels the extra eyes will help.
"There's just simply far too much violence here at the stops and on the buses – anything ranging from outrage at fist fights to weapons. I've seen knives pulled. I've seen the guns," Hagan said.
It's a sight that fellow CapMetro rider Dominic Chisambo said he also has seen while on the bus.
"We get lots of people who are homeless, and, you know, they are sometimes fighting or screaming," Chisambo said. "It makes some, most of us uncomfortable."
Hagan said he hasn't personally been a victim of the violence, but he has reached out to CapMetro officials on occasion to report what he's witnessed.
"There has to be some sort of accountability, a responsibility somewhere," Hagan said.
For Braxtin Walker, who is also a frequent CapMetro rider, she said while she hasn't witnessed too many unsafe situations, extra security would make everyone at the hubs feel comfortable.
"I think extra security is always good for women our age – not just women, but particularly, I guess, speaking from a woman mindset," Walker said. "I always carry a pocket knife and stuff with me just in case."
CapMetro's public safety efforts
During CapMetro's Operations, Planning and Safety meeting, officials detailed updates regarding its public safety program.
CapMetro currently has Public Safety Ambassadors (PSA), which according to the committee is now a fully operational program. Ambassadors focus on support for customers and employees, as well as system public safety.
According to a presentation by the committee during the Jan. 17 meeting, the ambassadors' monthly activity averaged:
- 80 calls for service
- 540 security sweeps
- 5,300 customer contacts
- 2,500 employee contacts
The team consists of 24 ambassadors, one manager and three supervisors and officially started in February 2022.
Aside from the PSA, CapMetro is still working to build its Transit Police Department, which was given the green light in 2021. Transit officers respond to escalated incidents. CapMetro expects to have the department fully operational by at least 2025. The plan is to start off with roughly 12 officers for the first year and then add more.
CapMetro currently hires off-duty officers from the Austin Police Department. But transit agency officials explained their duties are limited due to still being under department policies.