King County Executive assigns new security force to patrol Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel

New guards from Securitas Security Services trained in option to intervene in disputes

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced the assignment of a new security company to patrol the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, one trained in the option to intervene in disputes when doing so will not put others at risk.

“These guards are Metro’s eyes and ears, and with this change we can have higher expectations of them in their ability to deter bad behavior,” said Executive Constantine, who directed Metro to transition out of its contract with the current provider, Olympic Security Services. “Safety and security remain our highest priorities.”

The new guards from Securitas Security Services USA will carry out a variety of duties including the reporting of suspicious or inappropriate behavior, looking out for safety or security problems in the tunnel and assisting passengers.

The Executive said the Securitas guards will be fully trained in a range of tactics designed to defuse incidents.

Securitas guards already patrol Sound Transit’ Link light rail trains operated by Metro, and will now provide security for all five transit tunnel stations through at least mid-2011.

Metro will continue to use personnel from Olympic Security to carry out other, more limited security tasks. Olympic guards recently received additional training in defusing potential physical conflicts, and will continue to provide security in the tunnel during the transition to Securitas.

At the direction of the County Executive, Metro will continue its long-range review of future security needs.

The new security team will be phased in over a 45-day period starting next month.