Amtrak has deployed an Amtrak Mobile Security Team to patrol stations and trains and randomly inspect passenger baggage.
Amtrak said the Mobile Security Team’s squads may consist of armed Amtrak police, explosives-detecting K-9 units and armed counterterrorism agents in "tactical uniforms." They will screen passengers, randomly inspect baggage and patrol stations. Squads also may sweep through trains using K-9 units.
“The screening and mobile units were developed as part of Amtrak’s working hand-in-hand with domestic and international counterterrorism agencies and experts to continually fortify Amtrak’s safety and security practices,” said William Rooney, Amtrak's vice president of security strategy and special operations.
Passengers will have the right to refuse inspection, but if they do so, they will not be permitted to board the train and will be offered a ticket refund, said Amtrak.
Amtrak said that new security measures would not affect train schedules, and that random bag inspection typically would take less than a minute.
Amtrak said that new procedures are an enhancement to strategic security measures already in place such as uniformed police and plainclothes officers on trains and in stations; security cameras; and random identification checks.