Security presence increased on Link light rail amid worker safety concerns

Sound Transit (ST) released an annual safety report in late July that revealed more than 180 incidents of assault against ST workers occurred on the Link light rail in 2024.

In response to the growing trend of assaults, ST has implemented new measures to increase worker safety by setting a goal of having 25% of in-service trains equipped with police officers aboard.

Sound Transit bolsters security

The number of assaulted ST workers rose significantly between 2023 and 2024, with more than 140 reported assaults in 2023.

In addition to an increase in officer presence on ST, barriers have been added to ST Express buses to protect their operators. Train operators can also request a security escort to assist in their travel through the platforms outside of the train.

In April 2023, ST began to log records of physical and non-physical assaults on transit workers, regardless of the severity. ST also introduced de-escalation training for workers who are in contact with the public. The report noted that ST will continue to work with staff on campaigns to grow awareness.

The Vice President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, Ken Price, who represents ST workers, mentioned the challenges that transit staff encounter on a daily basis.

“At Sound Transit, we have transit operators that drive some of their buses. We have the train operators. We have the custodians. We have supervisors,” Price said, according to KING 5. “We’re not trained to handle some of these complex issues.”

ST also noted that the changes in its system for reporting assaults have been revised, and the steps required for reporting an assault are easier.

“When reporting options are simple, and the public knows what and how to report events, the number of reports increases,” the ST report stated.

Additionally, the number of reported assaults on passengers riding the Link light rail was more than 120 in 2024. This number is down from 2023, when more than 140 passenger assaults were recorded.

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