Reader comments
Heavy security at FrontRunner stations

Commuter | 9:23 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

What a joke. They were all standing around chatting with each other, or trying to look "bigger and badder" then the agency next to them. The only things missing were the punch bowl and chips.

It would be much better to actually do some good. Such as verifying ticket purchase so the UTA revenue could go up instead of the rates.

Better yet, they could direct the trains in Farmington to use the INSIDE track to end the joke of walking all the way around.

I am Tired of the the stupidity of UTA for bad design and use.

Security theater | 10:03 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I wasn't worried about safety on the train before. I'm worried now, though: this could become as much of a security-theater boondoggle as the one at the airport.

Toomuchsmog | 10:10 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

your tax dollars being flushed down the toilet.

Comments continue below

NedNabob | 10:19 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Must be trying to spend some Federal grant money.
Nothing worse than a bunch of administrators trying to get fae time on television.
Such "committee meetings" are useless and do NOTHING to promote effective security. It's nothing more than public illusion.
Most of these folks wouldn't know what to look for if Osama Bin Laden himself was there holding a press conference. After all, this IS Utah, "things like that don't happen here" do they?

Busted | 10:19 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

One cop nailed me for dimounting my bike after reaching the top of the platform. I rode up the ramp (as I usually do), stopped when both wheels were at the top (maybe 2 feet from the edge of the ramp). I got off entirely. He walked right up to my face:

Police: "you cannot ride on the platform."
Me: "where does the platform begin?"
Police: "we consider the entire thing the platform [motioning to the sidewalk behind the fence, on the parking lot side - Layton station]. We have HUGE signs stating 'no riding'."
Me: "ok, sorry."

Whew! Lesson learned.

Testing ground for tyranny | 10:36 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

This drill is to acclimate Davis County residents for the train-ride to the Halliburton-constructed detention camps.

dumb | 10:43 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

TSA is a joke. A bunch or burger king drop outs, who have no real skills. Give them a little authority and they think they are god.. Just go to the airport and watch all those loosers try to boss you around. Most of them can't even read.

"If ye are prepared... | 10:43 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

ye shall not fear."
This show of force might have been better taken if the parties involved presented it as a preparatory exercise.
Do we need top security 24/7 at remote posts? I don't know.
But I do know that I would want those who are to protect us to be trained thoroughly as to what to do. Hesitation, lack of preparation, assuming that everyone knows the plan... those can be costly delays in protecting & preserving life.

PR Performance | 10:46 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

This sounds like more of a PR performance and a display of ego by federal agencies than something that would truly enhance the safety of commuters. Waste of time and money. Whoever decided to do this should be fired. Doin' a great job, Brownie.

We need Homeland Security to ensure that commuters are safe. However, their actions should be meaningful and effective, not PR performances.

Anonymous | 10:45 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

WELCOME TO HE POLICE STATE PLEASE PIN YOUR PAPERS ON YOUR LEFT SHOULDER

Zack Shutt | 10:48 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Thanks UTA. Sure appreciate it.

Glad they are there | 11:00 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Hey, I am glad they are there. I appreciate it. Thanks for all of your efforts

Johny Fairplay | 11:01 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

What a waste of resources.

Thanks | 11:01 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Most people don't realize the threats that exist everyday and the amount of personnel it takes to oversee our safety. I have been in places and times of imminent danger. It may seem like overkill and maybe even an infringement on our personal liberties, but the day that these events happen life turns upside down. Having been on military bases when our lives had been threatened by terrorism; it was an enormous relief to see the presence of security. We are past the days when threats are aimed at the military. Ours is a day of terrorism that aims at the innocent and average citizen. Please don't take the presence of these security folks for waste. Feel blessed.

Amazed | 11:34 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

DONUTS? WHO'S HIDING THE DONUTS?

Nah, not the shifty eyed bearded guy with the turban...

These are not the droids you are looking for.....

Boy, do I feel safer now!

Jeff P. | 11:54 a.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Good to see they are worried about the people on the frontrunner. Last week, I saw the first officer/ticket checker on TRAX this year. Prior to that, I actually believe it had been 9 months since I had seen an officer on a train.

Thanks, a relief | 12:16 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Well, since TSA has taken over, there haven't been any aviation attacks, its inconvient, but safe, heck yeah it is. I feel safer at the airport than I do at UTA with no police presence at all, I mean has anyone rode the buses or trax, there are some scary people out there. I wish I was in your happy little world where things are happy and pleasant, but here in the real world, its not, so get with the rest of us. Stop flipping your hamburgers and appreciate what they do!

Amused-rh | 12:18 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Wow, what a bunch of whining, complaining people. Just another bunch of folks who are never satisfied, a damned if they do, damned if they don't, when it comes to law enforcement. You will never be happy, always whining "where is a cop when you need one", but if we show a little force, it is overkill, waste of time/money. PLEASE, make up you minds and maybe you could show a little appreciation for us out there protecting your sorry butts!

Tab L. Uno | 12:23 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Who is winning the war of terror? Is America making progress against the war of terror or is Al Quaida (spelling?) winning turning America into a police state where we lose our freedoms and liberties, where we will become our enemy in the name of security. Is the price of security too high? Hundreds of thousands of Civil War soldiers died in the name of freedom. Has the freedom that we are slowly losing worth the cost that has been shed? We can absolutely win the war of terror but at what cost?

Interesting | 12:25 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I ride a commuter train, same model as FrontRunner but several cars longer, every day to work in CA. I've ridden it for years. I have *never* seen armed guards or police officers on the platforms. Never. Not even once.

I'm glad the TSA is wasting money in Utah instead of spending in CA, where a terrorist could kill a greater number of people. Does Bush just want Californians to die? Or does he think Utahans just scare easier?

Ema | 12:29 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

So is this why the person checking tickets on TRAX last week was a police officer in uniform complete with a gun in his hip holster? That seemed like a bit much to me.

Anonymous | 12:38 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Welcome to the police state.

notfromutahcounty | 1:24 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Police state?.....You'll be the first to complain about the lack of police presence if for some reason there is an attack. We do not know the whole story but thank goodness we live in a country that at least tries to protect its citizens

Adam McMillen | 1:38 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Sounds like the good ol' Soviet Russia or even China. I agree, what is happening is we are turning into a police state. Read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to see what the founding fathers rejected as far as government control. Then you will see how wrong this is.

Finger pointers | 1:56 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

"The Haters" are on every story...Don't like police, religious people, kids, grandmas, requirements of any kind....yet, two bits say they are the first to speed, break laws and cut conrners. Poor citizens are very easy to spot and I am pleased the TSA is trying to do for us as so many won't do for themselves....protect our rights and safety.

Real Crime | 2:09 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

In the mean time: Gangs are taking over neighborhoods, Drugs sold on street corners, increased graffiti & politicians stealing taxpayer resources. Ever since 9/11, all this Homeland Security has done is to form local SWAT teams with all the new toys. Focus on the needs of local communities & then IF you have time, let the police play soldier!

Johny Fairplay | 2:23 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I hate finger pointers.

Who watches the wachers? | 2:33 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

This is all about getting you accustomed to the state police force. That way, once they start saying "papers please" you won't be too offended.

Who watches the watchers | 2:52 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

If you're concerned about a police presence on the train system, you may want to lay off the dystopian literature for a while.

Bob | 3:18 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Terrorists? I thought they were the elephant guards. Elephants can be very dangerous. It's a good thing we have elephant guards. I havn't seen a dangerous elephant on the UTA system in years.

What a Joke | 3:20 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

What a waste.

Government Man | 3:18 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

These TSA guys need to be down on the border with of our wonderful Southern Neighbor. Al-Quida and the drug lords are going to get togther and do something horrible to the good old USA.
We need to secure the border and stop Al-Quida, Drugs and gangs from getting into our country. I hate to tell you but it is hard to tell a Mexican from an Arab!!!
George Bush has been asleep at the wheel. We need to close off the border and do it now. We need a President and Congress that will address this problem and do it fast.
Deport everybody who is here and causes problems. Go after employers who hire the illegals. This will shut down the flow. Let's get to work.

REMAY | 3:31 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I can't understand why all the paranoia? Obviously, the irregular, sporadic sizeable police show of force is designed to let bad guys, be they terrorists or garden variety thugs, know that they can never be sure the day they decide to do their crime isn't the day the cops will swarm the train. It is to sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of crooks and terrorists. I'm glad they're there. I wish they'd do the same thing at schools, hospitals, universities, shopping malls, etc. Might help cut down on crime.

Jordan T. | 3:51 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I think somebody spiked the punch with vodka or something. And The chips are tasting pretty stale to me.

Blech!

Dave | 3:53 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I con not believe what I am reading here. You people should be ashamed of your selfs. This agency is trying to be proactive and all you can do is complain! If there was no police presence around and people were getting hurt or robber or raped, you same people would be complaining there is not enough security on the Frontrunner plateforms. Stop complaing and be grateful for what you have.

Busted | 4:04 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Getting off topic, maybe? Personally, I'm glad they made their presence known in a public display. There was obviously some muscle flexing in my case (I imagine the UTA officer wanted the other officers, and the public to know he was doing his job); HOWEVER mass transit, whether bus, train, or plane, needs law enforcement.

And today is an example of good strategy, not police state (for goodness sakes).

Police State | 4:06 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Next thing you'll see (or hear) is the clicking of heels and some form of a high five . Then, PAPERS,with their hand out.(not even a please).

pablohoney | 4:52 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I guess I better start purchasing a ticket...

Just the Beginning... | 5:13 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both."

a ticket to... | 6:02 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

china, where at least I know I'm free!

Cougar Blue | 6:38 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

Yep, the more you can keep people in fear, the easier it is to control them. It's worked for generations. Welcome to the new and improved police state. What a bunch of bologna.

Ernest T. Bass | 7:15 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

UTA needs to put their resources into making a track crossing at Farmington that makes sense. Why the hades do we have to walk 200 yards out of our way just to cross one track?
Whoever designed that station should go back to school.
Since when is Davis County a terrorist target on the same level as London or Madrid?

I agree with | 9:04 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

notfromutahcounty. Many of you complainers would also be the first to scream when something happened on a train and there were no police around.
Though much larger, I visited NYC a two years ago. On the way to JFK on the subway, a guy began to freak out and attempted to kick another passenger and took a swing at another. The gentleman next to me advised me to move to a different car asap, but then a member of the NYPD came in from a different car and removed the gentleman at the next stop. I was quite relieved!!
Though UT is much smaller and has less crime, knowing police and officials are nearby helps. Having an officer at a stop helps keep everyone safe knowing that if something happens, there is someone to help at the next stop.
Relax people. You'll live longer! Just because the police and TSA decided to do a security practice is no reason to accuse the government of infringing on our rights. In fact, I have a right to know that trains and transportation are monitored for my safety when I choose to ride them!

doug | 9:36 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

I am armed everywhere I go, including Trax and the Commuter. But it is concealed thank you

OUT OF MONEY | 11:43 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008

By Dec 2009 bet it will cost over $300.00 to ride FrontRunner per month. Fuel???? They didn't know the price of fuel has risin rapidly for at least the last 50 years that I have been alive. There are so many people that don't pay. I have had my Monthly pass checked 4 times in 4 years. Good track record UTA, and you say you want what??? Keep the aircondition working, keep the trains moving and not setting on the track waiting for a North or South bound train to pass. That is the worse. Pay more every three months and get worse service. TRAX leaving 30 seconds after FR arrives in SLC. UTA get your act together and listen to the RIDERS of your poor maintained modes of transportation and higher prices!?!?!?!?

London and Madrid? | 6:59 a.m. Aug. 7, 2008

I wonder if security was stepped up because of the beheading on the bus in Canada?

uncannygunman | 8:44 a.m. Aug. 7, 2008

"People can expect to see more and more of this," Morris said.

Great . . . . Translation--be afraid and stay afraid so you will vote republican.

I'm not afraid, I'm angry, and not at the non-existent "terrorists."

James H | 12:16 p.m. Aug. 7, 2008

Now if we could just get some security on Trax - no, I don't mean Fare Enforcers. I mean security that is there to make sure riders are safe. All they do is enforce fare payment.

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3 photos

Tom Smart, Deseret News

Jarrod Hiatt, a uniformed Transportation Security Administration guard , is part of the Visual Intermodal Presence and Response (VIPR) operation focused on the newly operating FrontRunner train system stretching from Salt Lake City to Ogden.

Gallery (3 photos)