New guards coming to Metro bus tunnel
SEATTLE -- King County Executive Dow Constantine on Thursday said guards from Securitas Security Services will patrol the downtown bus tunnel where a 15-year-old girl was beaten while security guards stood by.
The guards seen on video during the the January 28 attack worked for Olympic Security Services and were following a protocol that required them to not intervene and report violent incidents to police.
Constantine said the new security company will train its guards to be able 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," Constantine said in a statement.
Securitas already provides guards who patrol Link light rail stations operated by Metro.
The county said Olympic Security Services will still be used to provide "more limited" security tasks, and those guards will receive training in how to handle physical conflicts.
The new guards are expected to be phased in during the next 45 days.
The guards seen on video during the the January 28 attack worked for Olympic Security Services and were following a protocol that required them to not intervene and report violent incidents to police.
Constantine said the new security company will train its guards to be able 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," Constantine said in a statement.
Securitas already provides guards who patrol Link light rail stations operated by Metro.
The county said Olympic Security Services will still be used to provide "more limited" security tasks, and those guards will receive training in how to handle physical conflicts.
The new guards are expected to be phased in during the next 45 days.