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The MTA warned riders that delays could occur and urged passengers to allow extra time to board trains on the Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines.
Lt. Col. John E. Gavrilis, chief of the MTA police, said the tighter security is not a response to a specific threat but part of a general effort to "target-harden" Maryland transit facilities. He said the effort will begin at MARC stations but would eventually extend to the Baltimore Metro and light rail stations.
Gavrilis said the MTA has been working with the federal Transportation Security Administration to design the program. He said the agency recently received a federal grant to hire personnel and to purchase equipment needed for the screenings.
According to the MTA, the screenings could involve luggage, packages or other carry-on items. Police will rotate the random screenings among the various stations in the MARC system.
Gavrilis said his police force has been working with the TSA for several years to increase security at Maryland transit facilities.
"This is an opportunity to take it up one more notch," he said.
The MTA police have six dogs that have been trained by the TSA to protect against terrorist attacks. Gavrilis said the animals are not used to detect drugs.
"These are bomb dogs," he said.
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Baltimoresun.com's 
@ Baltimoron1974, I somewhat agree with you but im not upset because in this situation, its better to proactive than reactive-think about it, we didnt have all this airline security until 9/11. So i dont mind the enhancements.
DrDr74 (10/26/2009, 6:30 PM )