Riders to DC Metro: Stop the Pointless Random Searches

You're much more likely to die as result of a train crash on the public transit system in the nation's capital than you are a terrorist attack – nine people died in a June 2009 crash due to what federal inspectors call Metro's “anemic safety culture,” while no one has been killed as a result of terrorism.

But, banking on the assumption that the public values easily bypassed security theater more than having competent train operators and fully functional safety equipment, Metro officials have decided to sink their limited resources into random, liberty-eviscerating bag checks.

“Passenger security and safety is our top priority here at Metro,” claimed Michael Taborn, chief of the Metro Transit Police, in a YouTube video announcing the move in December. “To help ensure that our customers, employees and facilities are provided with the highest level of security, we're seeking your support as we move forward to implement random inspections of items carried into the Metro system.”

At a packed meeting Monday night meeting of the Metro Riders' Advisory Council (RAC), however, the public response was overwhelming: no, thank you – we rather like our rights.

“For our tax dollars to be spent on this ludicrous voluntary search program is disgraceful,” testified Martine Zee of Silver Spring, MD, “but more importantly the search policy is in violation of the 4th amendment and for that it must be rescinded. I hope many other riders will join with me in refusing to submit to any searches – hopefully the folks at our destinations will understand and forgive our lateness.”

“TSA, get out of my Metro. You are not welcome here,” added Sommer Gentry, who submitted to the board a hilarious mock dialogue between a security official and a Metro rider intended to illustrate the slippery slope of allowing warrant-less searches on public transit. “Get out of my airport, get out of my bus station, and get out of my country," said Gentry. "Your security theater is fooling no one."

Thomas Nephew of Takoma Park, MD, spoke for the well over 600 people when he presented a petition sponsored by the the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition and the DC Bill of Rights Coalition voicing opposition to random searches. And he pointed out that Metro's move doesn't just violate its riders' freedom – it may cost the cash-strapped public transit system money, as over 80 percent of petition signers said they would use Metro less in the wake of the searches.

“The Metro system is thus going to great expense to drive down its own ridership, yet provide no real security benefit in doing so – and all when Metro admits there’s quote 'no specific or credible threat' unquote to the system,” Nephew testified. “We should never give up our constitutional right to only be searched for good cause – and we certainly shouldn’t when the benefits are essentially zero and the result undermines our transit system.”

The Metro RAC did not vote on whether to oppose the random search policy, notes a press release from the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, though the council will be meeting again at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. “We hope an even bigger crowd will be on hand then to urge the RAC to oppose random bag searches as unconstitutional, ineffective, and misguided.”

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Photo Credit: theqspeaks