Napolitano asks for eyes at 30th St. Station

The Homeland Security Secretary unveils a new rail security program. It requests riders to report suspicious activity or bags.

A new push is underway to make rail travel safer. The head of Homeland Security traveled to 30th Street Station to see enlist help from passengers.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the premise is simple, people riding the rails see things that are unusual and should report them. She says the program is called SARS, Suspicious Activity Reporting System.

“if you are on a train, or standing on a platform, or in a station or public space or see something that isn’t right or seems out of place like an unattended package or bag or someone acting in a suspicious manner report it to law enforcement.”

There will be federal money for increased security patrols. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says everyone needs to work together.

“The bottom line is we can’t do it without the help of the public and it has to be a structured process in which information comes in be processed and we can act on it.”

The plan also includes random baggage checks for Amtrak rail passengers.