Summary: Video surveillance of Portland's transit mall is being
considered as one way to prevent robberies, thefts and drug dealing

      Leaders in Portland's commuter and shopping hub looking for
answers to persistent crime might turn to help from above -- video
surveillance cameras.

      Police and downtown merchants are considering the use of overhead
cameras in the transit mall as one of several crime-fighting measures,
said Lt. Dave Austin of the Portland Police Bureau. No money has been
set aside for the project, and it could be a year away if it ever happens.
But supporters are looking hard at ways to stave off problems in the
downtown transit mall.

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 Stephen Orr, Tri-Met security director, said the mall is the scene of
robberies, thefts and drug dealing, not to mention hassles for ordinary folk
trying to avoid aggressive street types.

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 TRI-MET EXPANDS MAX SURVEILLANCE
      Oregonian, The
      September 26, 1996
     GORDON OLIVER -

      Summary: In the next year, all the rail cars will be equipped with cameras,
as will six more stations along the eastside line and four stations on the west side

      Tri-Met will improve security on the MAX system by installing surveillance
cameras in trains and adding them at some of its busiest stations.

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      The goal is to have the improved security system in operation before the
opening of the westside light-rail line in September 1998, said Neil McFarlane,
Tri-Met's light-rail project control manager.

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      Tri-Met operations managers will be able to watch for dangerous
situations and vandalism. They will be access to police and can warn or
admonish people at stations through a loudspeaker system.

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      Tri-Met now has security cameras on 40 buses. The agency has no
data showing cameras in the buses or three MAX stations have reduced
crime and vandalism, said Tri-Met spokeswoman Mary Fetsch. But she
said drivers, passengers and maintenance crews all say the equipment
eases their fear of crime.

      Portland Police Lt. Rosie Sizer, who is assigned to Tri-Met security,
agreed that some criminals are less likely to cause problems if they know
they are being watched.

      ``Cameras are part of the solution, but not the total solution,'' she said
. Sizer said police, both uniformed and undercover, also help increase
security on light rail.

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