television screen

Description

From this week there'll be 28 extra police officers dedicated to ensuring trains, trams and buses remain safe for all. Assistant Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier said the additional officers are attached to SAPOL's Transit Services Branch (TPSB), which has been restructured to provide increased visibility on all transit routes. One of the most significant changes to increase police visibility is the introduction of late night shifts (2300 hours -- 0730 hours) on weekends which will target late night bus routes leaving the city and provide an increased presence at city taxi ranks. "These police officers are committed to improving the security of all passengers using our public transport system," Assistant Commissioner Killmier said. "The additional staff will increase the capacity and flexibility of TPSB to target specific routes for offenders and we'll also have a big focus on crime prevention. "The new officers bring the total number of police devoted to transit safety to 102 officers. It sends a clear message that violence, property damage and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated," she said. Specialised Transit Policing Teams will exclusively work the three main train lines -- Outer Harbour, Noarlunga and Gawler. These teams will work in a similar way to the Neighbourhood Policing Teams that operate at Elizabeth and South Coast LSAs. The Transit Branch will also have a new Investigations Unit and tactical teams will provide a rapid deployment capability to problem areas. "These team can be used anywhere at short notice for problem areas and to respond to a range of issues, such as anti-social behaviour at stations or on trains, trams or buses. "They'll also provide increased public reassurance and provide an improved problem solving capability," she said. Sixty officers will provide general policing duties across the transit system, giving police a greater capability to place more officers on key rail and bus routes. Coupled with an Intelligence Unit and a Crime Prevention Unit, Transit Services Branch will provide a significant resource to maintain a safe transit system. The additional officers follow on from several recent initiatives by Transit to engage better with commuters and keep them informed about how they can contributed to a safer transport system. Just last week Transit Services Branch began its own Facebook page on a three month trial. Most commuters use the internet via hand-held devices, tablets, smart phones while they travel. It makes sense for them to provide or receive information from police when they are on the move -- so Facebook provides a great platform," Assistant Commissioner Killmier said In May large screen television were hung at the Adelaide Railway Station to project images of people wanted for questioning by police after being caught on CCTV committing offences. The screens also promote crime prevention messages to keep you safe while travelling. The same images are posted to SAPOL's news website. Together these methods have produced an 85 per cent success rate in solving these crimes. This strategy complemented the Crime Stoppers "wanted" posters that are displayed in the Transit Police Office at the Railway Station and on trains, trams and buses. The television screen is located next to the timetable screens directly opposite the turnstiles, where more 100,000 people enter and exit the trains every day. Four more screens are due to be erected shortly at busy interchanges. "All of these strategies combine to create a transport system that people feel safe and secure on," she said.