Some context
Concerns over safety is not something new for the organization.
CapMetro adopted a three-pronged public safety strategy back in 2021, leading to the creation of the specialized transit police department, public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists.
The agency appointed its first police chief, Eric Robins, last August, after the agency received approval from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement authorizing CapMetro to recruit and hire its own officers.
“This class of transit police officers will be the first of many, but I can say with certainty that they are ready for the task at hand.” CapMetro Police Chief Eric Robins said in a statement. “Each officer was carefully and thoughtfully chosen to carry out the mission and policies of the department, and I look forward to our transit community starting to see their presence on our system.”
Officers will begin patrolling June 16, according to a news release. The agency will continue recruiting and expanding the public safety program over the coming years.
CapMetro officials welcomed the addition of one captain, two sergeants and nine officers.
The framework
The Transit Police Department will work alongside the agency’s public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists to respond quickly to transit safety needs across the metro.
The new transit-dedicated police department will be on call for when law enforcement is needed. Officers are trained in crisis intervention, as well as people-centric and impartial policing.
Public safety ambassadors are the “eyes and ears on the ground,” according to CapMetro documents. These trained individuals are intended to handle the disruptive, nonviolent safety concerns and currently consists of 24 ambassadors, one manager and three supervisors.
Often these team members help patrol hot spots within the transit system, or areas that have high levels of quality-of-life issues and suspicious activity, according to a review of the team’s first year. Ambassadors often handle things like:
- Individual welfare checks
- Lost children
- Trespassing
- Loitering
- Vandalism
- Suspicious activity or packages
The agency has also indicated plans to increase the number of security cameras on vehicles and facilities to help identify and resolve issues more quickly.
Of note
Riders may report any incidents by using the CapMetro app, visiting the website or by texting 512-488-4200.
