NJ Transit Releases Statement on Security

NJ Transit released a statement early Monday afternoon in response to the death of Osama Bin Laden and security across the transit system:

In light of the recent news concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden, NJ TRANSIT Police, in cooperation with our law enforcement partners, will continue to maintain a heightened state of vigilance across the system.  In addition, customers may notice an increased state, local and NJ TRANSIT police presence in and around key locations; however, there is no specific or credible threat against the NJ TRANSIT system at this time.

It is important to note that the NJ TRANSIT Police Department maintains close communication with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the FBI, and agencies at the municipal, county, state and federal levels.

We urge customers who see suspicious activity or unattended packages at stations, aboard trains or buses, or near transit facilities to call the NJ TRANSIT security hotline at 1-888-TIPS-NJT or notify a NJ TRANSIT police officer.  All calls are investigated, and all information is confidential. 

While we do not release details about police deployment or specific countermeasures, our police remain vigilant in monitoring our system, including random baggage screening, K-9 deployment, plainclothes and uniformed patrols and community outreach. 

Since September 11^th NJ TRANSIT Police have:

• Increased the number of uniformed and plainclothes police officers on patrol.
• Deployed additional NJ TRANSIT K-9 bomb detection teams, in addition to teams provided by the New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement partners.
• Established vehicular inspection checkpoints and barricades at major terminals and stations.
• Increased the use of electronic surveillance and detection systems.