FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- Sound Transit is flexing some muscle to fight the perception that its Federal Way Transit Center is one big crime scene.

Seven thousand bus riders connect at the transit center, and many of them question their safety at the center. But newly-added officers and cameras might boost confidence.

"There's been a lot, quite a bit of shootings around here, and that's ridiculous, you know. Catch the bus to work and you worry about getting shot?" said bus rider Tim Jackson.

The transit center has seen a run of violent crimes since it opened in 2006.

The center was the scene of a deadly shooting last December. A year before that, someone was stabbed. And in January of last year, a man was shot and wounded while walking across a bus lane.

"I don't know what they're thinking, but they're taking people's lives and that's wrong," said bus rider Jacob Burgess. "Somebody ought to do something about it."

Sound Transit says it is, in fact, doing something about it -- bringing in more officers from Federal Way and deputies from King County to reinforce the private security guards.

And if there weren't enough cameras already, Sound Transit has added four more with full pan, tilt, and scan capabilities.

The surveillance cameras roll 24 hours a day, and are monitored at Federal Way Police Headquarters. And yes, there are people watching those cameras. Volunteers can zoom right in and tell police exactly what is happening.

"I think the more people recognize and see a police presence here, the safer the place will be," said Cmdr. Stan McCall.

Police know even extra eyes may not prevent all crimes. But Sound Transit hopes increased surveillance sends a message to criminals and reassures bus riders .

"It's a scary thought, you know. I am here catching the bus, and I know this is what happened, and it could happen again. It's always in the back of my mind," said Denisha Green, a bus rider.

Sound Transit says the changes at the Federal Way Transit Center are a part of a one-year trial program. If proven successful, the program could be expanded to transit centers in Bellevue and Tacoma.