Teen is beaten in bus tunnel; Metro to review security guard policies

Teen is beaten in bus tunnel; Metro to review policies -Seattle Times


QUOTING FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ARTICLE:

The guards, who work for Olympic Security Services, provide security throughout the transit system.

According to the contract with Metro, guards with Olympic Security Services are instructed not to intervene when witnessing suspicious behavior or criminal activity, but to "observe and report" and radio the Metro Transit Control Center, which relays requests for assistance to the appropriate law-enforcement agencies.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the guards called the tunnel communication center after the Jan. 28 assault.

In light of the assault, Metro is reviewing the restriction on physically intervening in fights or other criminal activity, Desmond said.

Asked if he thought the guards acted appropriately in light of the policy, Desmond said, "The whole thing, in terms of what happened with or without a sensational video, is very concerning and very disturbing to us. On the face of it, the security guards were following the letter of the policy. I certainly wish they had done something different. ...

"We're talking with Olympic and we're going to change that policy," he said.