SECURITY BEEFED UP ON THE SKYTRAIN

Transit Police Permitted To Carry Guns, Arrest Suspects In Effort To
Boost Safety

VANCOUVER -- Transit police in Vancouver are now carrying guns and
have been given new powers to arrest people outside stations who may
be dealing drugs or committing other crimes and using the trains as a
get-away system.

It is the first transit police force in Canada to be given such
powers. About 70 officers have been trained and have met the same
qualifications required to work for a municipal force.

They follow the same rules and regulations as other police officers
when it comes to use of force and firearms.

"This is the first unit of its kind in the country," Solicitor-General
John Les said as he introduced the force yesterday at the downtown
Waterfront Station.

"They are a fully trained and fully equipped transit police force and
they have the full authority to enforce drug laws, to execute
outstanding warrants and to arrest people who commit crimes outside
SkyTrain stations."

Some riders said that although they didn't think the SkyTrain system
- -- an automated network of light rapid trains -- was threatening or
dangerous, giving the officers more powers would probably make them
feel safer.

"I guess it makes me feel a little bit more secure although I didn't
feel all that insecure," Robert Smith said as he disembarked from the
SkyTrain downtown.

Mr. Les didn't mention crime trends in making the announcement, but
this year the stepmother of a teenager who was fatally beaten outside
a SkyTrain station had called on the government to put armed security
patrols in the station.

Lorna Christie, who rode in from suburban White Rock, said the move
will make people feel safer and encourage them to use the system more
often.

"I think that would be good protection for those who go on the
SkyTrain and prompt more people to want to go," she said.

Robert Kind, chief officer of the transit police force, said that
without weapons, transit guards faced serious hurdles in doing their
job.

"Their experience and dedication is unmatched, especially considering
the limits they face that have many times frustrated their efforts to
do what they are more than capable of doing," he said.

About 15 armed officers will be dispatched daily to patrol SeaBus,
SkyTrain and West Coast Express depots as needed. The force is
recruiting more officers and will eventually patrol buses as well.

In addition to checking for fare evaders, transit police now have the
power to enforce laws, including those relating to illicit drugs and
stolen property.