Trolley Adds 3 Guards to Bolster Anti-Crime Image

The chief administrator of the San Diego Trolley said Monday that three new armed security guards are being added to the service, not because crime is a problem on the trolley, but because the “perception” of crime now demands “an increased visibility of security.”

Langley Powell, who oversees San Diego Trolley, said he decided to add three armed guards after public concern following incidents involving gunfire on or near the trolley. The addition will bring the number of armed guards to 41.

On June 7, a domestic dispute that ended in the parking lot of the El Cajon Transit Center resulted in a woman being severely wounded after an attempted murder-suicide.

On July 4, a man was arrested after the 12-gauge shotgun he was carrying in a satchel discharged, firing a hole through the side of a trolley near the station at 12th and Imperial avenues.

Several gang-related shootings have resulted in bullets being fired near the trolley, but Powell said the upgrade of security was occurring “not because of any one incident, but because there’s been so much concern by some people who feel we need more security.”

Statistically, crime on the trolley is quite low, Powell said, with .25 incidents occurring per 100,000 riders, making it--on paper--one of the safest mass-transit systems in the country.

“We want people to feel comfortable,” Powell said. “We want them to feel safe and secure and to encourage them to ride the trolley. We provide a service that’s on time, that’s clean and spiffy and with the best equipment. We want to keep it that way. We want people to feel safe and enjoy their trip.”

Powell said the three guards, who will ride the cars or patrol trolley stations and adjacent parking lots were previously used to collect money from trolley ticket-vending machines.