Metro officials introduced a new scanner designed to detect concealed weapons that passengers are carrying.
Transit officials unveiled the device on Wednesday at Union Station. KNX News’ Jon Baird described the scanner as being similar to models used by TSA at airports.
Robert Gummer, Metro’s Deputy Chief of System Security, broke down the process to reporters.
“This tablet - as someone is going through [the scanner] - actually will create a red box around the person who's going through the screening area and direct that screener to areas where they should do searches,” he said.
If the scanner detects a weapon, Gummer said the passenger would be moved to further screening.
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This comes after a string of violent encounters on the Metro transit system. In September, a Metro bus was hijacked in downtown L.A. and a passenger was shot and killed.
“It's a critical issue for us,” Gummer said.
“It's something that we take seriously.”
Some Metro Board members, including Mayor Karen Bass and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn have been pushing for a security system.
“We just can't afford not to really do everything we can to keep weapons off the system,” Hahn told L.A.’s Morning News after the Metro hijackings. “We can't have people coming out with guns with knives.”
The scanner will be tested on passengers at Union Station for the next month or so.
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