Detroit outfitting buses with surveillance cameras

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit plans to begin outfitting its bus fleet starting Monday with surveillance equipment in an ongoing effort to curb violence, officials said.

Gary Brown, who runs operations for the city, told The Detroit News (https://bit.ly/1mlN6tU ) that an initial $123,000 effort will equip 50 Detroit Department of Transportation buses with surveillance cameras within a month. More city buses are expected to get cameras later.

“The cameras will cut down on those fights and defuse them quicker,” Brown said. “This will make everybody understand that security is a top priority and you are being monitored.”

Plans for the cameras were announced last year amid security concerns including attacks on drivers and passengers worrying about safety. In October, a drivers’ protest over safety issues halted operations for a day following violent on-the-job attacks.

Just last week, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed while trying to intervene as two riders argued on the bus.

“I am hopeful that things are going to get done,” said Fred Westbrook, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, which represents about 500 drivers in the city. “I do know if it gets worse before it gets better that there’s going to be a problem.”

Eight cameras on each bus will provide a comprehensive view and audio, Brown said.

The initial equipment is being provided and installed by a company that provided security cameras for a bus system that serves southeastern Michigan. Detroit will solicit bids to complete the work on an additional 200 buses in the fleet after federal transit officials review its plans.

“This is simply not an issue of money. We have the money,” Brown said. “It’s just an issue of getting through the red tape and being able to spend it and get it done. We’re ready to go.”

Federal funding is supporting the effort. DDOT has 445 buses, including 100 it plans to retire. It also plans to purchase 50 new buses.

Detroit police also have stepped up security efforts, deploying plain-clothes officers to some bus routes with patrol cars trailing the buses. The city is working on a plan that calls for a more comprehensive and centralized transit force, according to Brown.

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Information from: The Detroit News, https://detnews.com/