[Scan-DC] Metro Transit Police stage large anti-terrorism drill

[b_thom at juno.com]

It happened on Tuesday, but there's more to come. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020200794.html

By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer 
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 

Metro Transit Police staged their largest anti-terrorism sweep ever during Tuesday morning's rush hour, as about 50 officers -- some toting M-4 rifles and others guiding bomb-sniffing dogs -- took up position in Union Station in a new initiative aimed at discouraging attacks. 

In coming months, they plan to hold similar drills for the effort, dubbed Blue TIDE (Terrorism Identification and Deterrence Effort). 
....

Metro is planning exercises this month modeled after terrorist attacks in Madrid, London and Mumbai. About 200 to 300 police officers and other emergency responders from across the region will take part in tactical exercises Feb. 12, 13 and 24 that will include simulations of the bombing of a Metrobus, an explosion in the tunnel between the Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro stations, and shooters at the Friendship Heights Metro station. 

Under the State Department anti-terrorism assistance program, Olson and Amtrak Police Chief John O'Connor traveled to India last summer to learn about rail system security there after the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. 
=====

I hope that when the transmissions go out during the exercise, it is made clear that these events are part of a drill.

Also, new routines for boarding trains are in effect for MARC riders.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2010/02/new_rules_for_marc_boarding_at.html

=====

Thanks to http://dcist.com for the links.

____________________________________________________________
Nutrition
Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=9OkxOVChhsXI-2Pc3PsMbwAAJ1DTzo1j0zK4CKewKFoZc-9IAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASQwAAAAA=