Metro increasing security after Paris attacks

The Metro Transit Police Department has increased patrols systemwide in response to the weekend terror attacks in Paris, local officials said Monday.

“MTPD has more than 20 K9 teams in service conducting security sweeps in and around rail stations and other critical infrastructure”, the capital area transit agency said.

Among agencies that announced tighter security yesterday is the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which has upped the number of patrols, K9 sweeps and random bag checks and screenings for explosives across its system.

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DC’s other law enforcement agencies haven’t been as emphatic about their responses to Friday night’s events in France, but there are extra security measures all over town.

MTPD said it has also implemented “other countermeasures that are not visible to the traveling public”.

Metro officials are also encouraging riders to be extra-vigilant about unattended packages and to alert transit police of any suspicious activity at 202-962-2121. In that incident, an off-duty police officer shot the suspect and a bystander was struck by a ricocheting bullet.

The coordinated attacks in Paris, for which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility, targeted civilians at restaurants, a soccer match, and a theater. “I can tell you that we are in touch with our airline and federal partners and are taking appropriate steps as necessary.”A spokesman for Baltimore Washington global Airport said passengers will continue to see many security measures in place at BWI. With this said, let me be clear-there is no known, credible threat to Washington D.C, at this time.

“While there now is no specific threat to the Capitol Complex, it will always be an appealing target”, the memo reads.