By Ron Thaniel
November 4, 2002

Meridian (MS) Mayor John Robert Smith, Chairman of Amtrak's Board of Directors, urged the mayors this week to remain vigilant regarding the heightened security needs of our national passenger rail system following information shared last week by the Transportation Security Administration with Amtrak of the general threat to rail.

"I hope Mayors will facilitate increased police presence and other security measures related to Amtrak services in their cities. This includes reviewing with your police department that this transportation asset could be a target of future terrorism. Modest steps to increase police presence such as random checks of rail facilities can help reassure the public that passenger rail transportation is a safe and efficient travel option," Mayor Smith said.

Also last week, the Amtrak Police Department issued a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) message requesting all law enforcement agencies to pay attention to railroad stations, bridges, tunnels and infrastructure during their regular patrols and to report any suspicious activity to the Amtrak Police National Communications Center (1-800-331-0008). Amtrak is requesting that your law enforcement agency contact Amtrak Police to discuss how increased police presence at your station and related rail facilities will make our national rail passenger system as safe as possible.

Congress has yet to enact substantial security funding for Amtrak since last year's terrorist attacks. Several bills passed full Committee but never made it to the House or Senate floor for votes. Two in the Senate, S.1550 and Senator Lieberman's substitute to H.R.5005, would have given Amtrak over $1 billion for system-wide security enhancements and capacity-building. One in the House, H.R.4545, authorized just under $1 billion for security and life safety purposes.