Metro Transit Police Flood Union Station in Show of Force

Nearly 50 Metro Transit Police officers descended on Union Station Metrorail Tuesday in an attempt to deter potential terrorist activity.

The show of force during Tuesday morning's rush hour is part of a new security initiative for WMATA, named Blue TIDE, with the aim of demonstrating to the public the transit agency's vigilance in providing security and preventing terrorism on DC's public transport systems.

Officers from units as diverse as the bomb squad and auto theft division participated in the operation, in which they conducted security sweeps of the station while reminding Metrorail and Metrobus customers to be observant and report suspicious behavior to WMATA employees and security agents.

MTPD Deputy Chief David Webb emphasized efforts the agency was taking to prevent terrorism, including random searches of buses, trains, and stations, increased surveillance, and more operations such as the one seen in Union Station.

The MTPD recently formed a twenty-man antiterrorism squad thanks to a $9.56 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security.