Amtrak security efforts aim to defeat, deter most likely terrorist tactics

Amtrak testified April 21 before a Senate committee that "the security of our system is our top priority" and its efforts are focused on defeating or deterring the most dangerous and likely terror tactics, including use of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on board a train or at a station and the emerging threat of an active shooter.

"We are devoting our
efforts to making it harder and harder for terrorists to use their preferred
strategies to attack our stations, trains, and passengers," said Amtrak Chief
of Police John O’Connor, citing as examples rail bombing attacks in Madrid
(2004), London (2005) and several in Moscow including last month, and an active
shooter at a station in Mumbai (2008).

He said America’s
intercity passenger railroad has implemented robust counterterrorism
initiatives and is looking "to expand aggressively our efforts to defend our
system against the most probable and devastating methods of attack."

Chief O’Connor explained
that Amtrak has more than doubled the size of its Explosive Canine Detection
Program to 45 teams, including several that have received highly specialized "vapor
wake" training where the bomb-sniffing dogs can detect the presence of fumes
left after someone passes through an area with an explosive device. In
addition, he said Amtrak instituted a random baggage-screening program in 2008,
and has since screened tens of thousands of passengers and their bags as they
boarded thousands of trains across the country.

Amtrak also has performed
more than 325 joint Visible Intermodal Protection and Response (VIPR) security
operations with the Transportation Security Administration since 2007 that
involve an unannounced surge of uniformed officers on trains and at stations to
deter and detect suspicious behavior. He said the installation of fencing,
cameras and other security improvements to harden stations, tracks and other
critical infrastructure is ongoing and added that Amtrak is committed "to let
our risk assessments drive security investments."

"[W]e are enthusiastic
about programs that help us bring more people, technology, and animals to bear
on the task of keeping our stations and trains secure," Chief O’Connor stated.
However, he stressed that improved cooperation and coordination among all rail
and transit stakeholders is "the paramount need because our opponents know how
to exploit gaps-and they only need to get lucky once."

The Chief said that
Amtrak is working closely with countries around the world to learn from their
experiences and that he has traveled to Mumbai as part of a State Department
initiative to exchange information and collaborate with Indian rail officials
on counterterrorism strategies. Additionally, Amtrak partners with local, state
and federal law enforcement agencies-including participation in FBI Joint
Terrorism Task Forces- to share intelligence, conduct exercises and carry out
security-related operations.

Chief O’Connor testified
with other federal and railroad industry security experts before the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.