The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system has much more to navigate than the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area map, currently. This fall, as more member cities discuss exiting their partnership with the agency, news of three unrelated shootings in a five-week span occurring on separate DART properties hit headlines. However, even as funding concerns grow, DART announced millions in new security enhancements directly following the crime spree, but disgruntled riders say it may still not be enough to recover the system’s reputation.
On Nov. 19, DART announced a new $16.8 million contract to upgrade and replace thousands of surveillance cameras, “increasing efficiency and collaboration between DART [Police Department] and operations.” DART says the new enhancements, the largest camera overhaul since 2010, will increase response times.
“This upgraded camera system is part of a multi-step process to ensuring our trains, buses and facilities are as secure as possible for our employees and riders,” said Randall Bryant, the newest DART Board of Directors chair, in a press release. “We have a duty to maintain a secure system for North Texas, and it’s a primary priority of my tenure as Board Chair.”…