Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit Security And Modernization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DART says arrests down for violent crimes, expands security staff and $2.5B modernization plan
Summary
DART reported falling person and theft crimes for the most recent quarter, new security measures including 100 contracted transit security officers, an expanded co‑response mental‑health program and a $2.5 billion system modernization program aimed at improving reliability and customer information systems.
DART reported declines in crimes against people and property for the most recent quarter and described stepped‑up security, technological upgrades and a long‑term modernization program.
Charlie Cato, chief of police and emergency management for Dallas Area Rapid Transit, told the committee DART has "implemented a comprehensive security strategy" that includes hiring a contracted transit security officer vendor, Intercon Security, "to provide 100 additional uniform level 3" officers, a clean team to ride and clean trains, and an expanded DART CARES program that pairs specially trained officers with licensed clinical social workers. Cato said Parkland Health agreed to extend a vendor arrangement through 2026 and the board has put an RFP in place to make the pilot permanent.
Cato also described technology investments: the agency has procured a Genetec video management system and a board‑approved camera replacement contract to manage more than 7,700 cameras systemwide, using analytics to alert monitors to incidents such as weapons or fights.
"We can't possibly humanly view 7,700 cameras," Cato said, describing automated analytic alerts as a way to deploy personnel earlier.
Chair Bryant emphasized safety as a top board priority, saying one of the board's goals is "at least one uniform presence on every train car and every station platform during all hours of operations," and noted the board has continued funding for transit security originally supported with ARPA dollars.
On operations, DART executives said ridership has grown since 2021 but is flattening; DART reported 56 million trips last year and an average of about 171,000 passengers per weekday. Staff clarified DART counts boardings (each transfer counts as a boarding) and that ridership metrics differ across modes: fixed‑route buses, light rail and demand‑response GoLink are calculated differently.
Dee Leggett, DART executive vice president and chief development officer, said DART is advancing a $2.5 billion system modernization program to update fleets, facilities, signals and systems; she said new buses and ticket vending machines are arriving and customer information displays in multiple languages are being installed.
The presentation also included publication of quarterly police reports and NIBRS data on DART's website dating back two years to increase transparency.
DART said it will pilot closures and controlled access at select stations (CityPlace identified as an initial pilot site) as part of a FY26 safety and security review to determine whether more controlled station environments improve safety.
