Classifieds in this issue include executive and managerial positions with transit agencies and vendors throughout North America! 

LYNX in Orlando, FL, and representatives of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hosted ceremonies Aug. 30 to spread the word about their joint security campaign. LYNX launched a wrapped bus depicting participants in the federal Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) effort, designed to raise public awareness about TSA’s deployment in all modes of transportation.

“Since June of 2009, when we started this program with LYNX, we’ve done over a dozen VIPR operations and screened over 7,000 passengers,” said John Daly, TSA federal security director for Orlando. LYNX spokesperson Matthew Friedman said most of the screenings take place at LYNX Central Station, but some are performed at the system’s mini-hubs.

Daly stressed that the VIPR teams only inspect buses randomly, and encouraged riders to contact LYNX or local law enforcement if they see something suspicious.

VIPR teams bring together Department of Homeland Security employees who may include Federal Air Marshal Service supervisors and air marshals not scheduled for flight duty at that particular time; Transportation Security Officers; U.S. Coast Guard or TSA-certified canine teams; explosives experts, including TSA Bomb Appraisal Officers and K-9 teams; TSA Transportation Security Inspectors; Customs and Border Protection; local transit security teams; and local or county law enforcement officers.

TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz explained that the teams work with local law enforcement to provide a visible deterrent in public transportation, aviation, and maritime systems. They have a wide range of law enforcement and security capabilities including behavior observation, security screening, explosive detection, and traditional law enforcement authority.

The program has deployed teams more than 3,500 times throughout the U.S. during the past three years, both for special events and other occasions that involve large numbers of people using transportation systems—and at random intervals scheduled in conjunction with law enforcement partners.

Joining members of the LYNX-TSA team are Seminole County Commissioner Carlton Henley, left, chairman of the LYNX Board;  Scott Johnson, second from left, general manager, field operations, TSA Office of Security Operations; LYNX Interim Chief Executive Officer/Chief Administrative Officer Edward Johnson, second from right; and John Daly, right, TSA federal safety director for Orlando.

 

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