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UPDATE: Click here for the outcome of today's bag search
This program started nine months ago, but depending on your route, daily riders may have never seen this. Via federal funding for train security, LA County Sheriff Deputies are teaming up with the Department of Homeland Security for a program to randomly check your bags. "Basically, [DHS] realized trains are neglected," in terms of security, explained Sgt. Leo Bauer of the Sheriff's Department over the phone.
When the program first began, checkpoints like this were very infrequent, but now the program is up and running a little more consistently, around four times a week at random times at random subway stations. But don't worry about standing in long security line like at the airport. "If we did every person, we'd be shutting down the rail system," Bauer said pointing out that the bag checks are random.
The NYPD starting doing this on their own in 2005 causing people to have concern that they would racially profile commuters. This program is under DHS' Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and so far, we haven't seen any of those officers in their bright blue outfits and latex gloves.
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should i carry around a sign that says, no cops can search me unlawfully under penalty of law.
I've never seen the bag search, but I have seen them "randomly" check people's tickets and trains.
And by random - I mean minorities.
I have had my ticket checked many times over the past 9 or so years of subway riding. 1st time was in South LA. I've been checked a couple of times and Hollywood/Vine, several times at Hollywood/Highland and at least once at Union Station. Oh, yeah and I'm what they call "white."
That said, I don't want the cops in my bags.
Warning! Anecdotal evidence! I had two friends get their (non-existant) tickets checked. One was able to pretend he didn't know about it because he was foreign (but white), and got off. The other (also white) just played dumb and got the $250 ticket.
I'm a female non-minority and have had my ticket checked once or twice in Hollywood.
And I agree with the other dude - I still don't want my bag checked if I'm just taking public transit. Going into a concert or a federal building I can see. It's something that I kind of sign up for when doing those things. Going to work or the library via public transit? not so much. I also get offended by stores that check you receipt when you leave with bags in your hand. Like they just ASSUME I'm a criminal.
Remember when Bush said the thing terrorists hate about America is our freedom?
Don't like it? Don't ride the train.
It definitely makes me feel safer.
This has to be sarcasm, how do random searches make you feel safer? This is complete BS,I am tired of being searched or having to check my bag everywhere I go. whats next?
It's called Security Theater
You must be the type that sleeps with a nightlight on to keep the monsters away.
I actually don't mind being searched - if we know about it ahead of time and EVERYONE is searched.
Random searches though, not fond of - for a few reasons. One of them being they really do profile. Another big reason is, people who will actually want to say bomb the subway, can simply dress inconspicuously, and everyone BUT the suspect will be searched. How does that make us any safer?
Is this the same program that started the "security sweeps" of Red Line trains last summer?
No one gives a hoot about LA's subway. I call bs on random searches because it will target minorities if you don't agree I can only assume you ignore or don't realize/care about who they are going target.
random searches blow! i hate MTA and this is total BS. BOO! :(
FYI, updated post on this subject can be found here:
http://laist.com/2009/03/09/bag_check_at_hollywood_subway_stati.php
Doing random checks of bags is a good thing because the criminal element won't know, in advance, when or where they are happining. They are NOT racest! The only thing I would hope that the L.A. Sheriffs add to this is an explosives sniffing dog because that will be more of a deterant. NOTHING is going to stop EVERY potential thret, but the randon checks will help discourage some of them. Nobody likes these random checks but they are a necessity in today's society. We just need to have more of them and do them a little more frequently. Look at these checks in the same way that the Highway Patrol does their random inspections of your automobiles.
Coming back into LAX - I was randomly "selected" to have my luggage checked...because I was having a good time - and showed it by the s**t eating grin on my face. I had one of the best laughs of my life when they got to my plastic bag of dirty Hanes and asked me "what they were and could I please open the bag". I simply said "if your that curious - you can have them". The bag was quickly put back with a frustrated "have a nice day, sir".
As long as it's random - why be upset?