Governor Rell: State Beefing Up Transit Security

With 5 New Canine-Trooper Teams

$1.9 Million Federal Grant To Fund

Bomb-Sniffing Canine Patrols

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced the state has received a $1.9 million federal grant to add five specialized state police dog patrols for transit security – primarily along the commuter rail line. The bomb-sniffing dogs will also be used at Connecticut Transit bus facilities at ports and airports.

“The arrests this week of suspected terrorists potentially targeting mass transit in the U.S. has underscored, once again, how dramatically our world has changed since September 11, 2001,” Governor Rell said. “Although there has been no specific threat to Connecticut, we continue to be vigilant. This grant will certainly help Connecticut law enforcement to enhance its presence for the thousands of commuters who rely on mass transit every day.”

Department of Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III said state police currently patrol transit areas with canine teams, especially during times of heightened security and at random intervals. The federal grant will now allow the agency to maintain a full-time unit dedicated to transit security. The teams will pair specially trained bomb-sniffing dogs, mostly Labrador retrievers, with experienced handlers trained in anti-terrorism techniques. The five-team special unit with be in place once the next State Police Academy trooper class graduates next year.

The funds are provided by the federal Transit Security Grant Program and were awarded to the state Departments of Public Safety and Transportation, which jointly applied under the Governor’s direction. Connecticut is part of a regional transit security group that includes agencies in New York and New Jersey.

The three-year grant requires that the canine teams dedicate 80 percent of their patrols to busy mass transit centers, mainly commuter trains and train stations. State police officials say the teams will also patrol CT Transit bus centers, airports and other ports of entry.

The Governor has received nearly $16 million in federal transit security grants since 2006 for security upgrades, including video surveillance improvements and citizen awareness. The state has also applied for stimulus funds to further security improvements.