The Crosslake Connection is expected to bring a surge of new riders onto transit in the region.
Saturday will mark the historic expansion of light rail service across Lake Washington, connecting Seattle by rail to the east King County communities of Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Redmond.On Thursday, KOMO News spoke with Sound Transit Police Chief Scott Dery about how his agency is preparing to handle increased service and more passengers on the rail lines.
“We’re adaptable, and we’ll adapt to what we need to do and see where the problems are," Dery said. The King County Sheriff's Office operates the Sound Transit Police, which currently has 74 deputies assigned to it.Dery said the agency is aiming to increase staffing to deal with higher passenger volumes, as well as the increased distances covered by the Link Light Rail. Saturday's opening of the 2 line between Seattle and Redmond will mark the third extension to open for Link service in recent years. In 2024,“We put more cops on the train, whether it’s in uniforms or plain clothes, just to have that presence out there and let people know it’s safe to be on the trains," Dery said. Both Sound Transit Police and Metro Transit Police operate high-visibility bike patrols known as the "B.E.E.S" “Our presence alone helps to make sure everything runs smoothly, people are handling themselves appropriately and feel safe getting home," said Deputy Ryan Riess, who works with the B.E.E.S team. "The bike is a great tool for us; we're able to deploy fast." Riders can expect to see deputies on foot and on bikes along the new train routes. The sheriff's office also plans to use undercover officers on trains to intervene and apprehend criminals. “The guy sitting next to you could be a cop you don’t know," Chief Dery said. "Or there could be a guy like me in a uniform standing there to help change the culture to take it somewhere else, so people can take the train to do what they’re doing.”Sound Transit seeks help from prosecutors to hold copper thieves accountable“We know the spots where it’s being taken from - we spend more time there day and night," Dery said. "We work more with cameras, lighting, and we’re trying to do what we can to deter the thieves. It’s not just a sound transit issue; it’s throughout the nation, the region, copper is being stolen everywhere."Authorities in Pierce County have seized large quantities of illegal drugs following a lengthy investigation, officials said.Members of the Pierce County SherifA growing number of residents and business owners in D.C.'s Navy Yard say they are fed up with repeated teen takeovers.The Seattle Mariners have high hopes to compete for a World Series title in 2026 after a heartbreaking end to last season.Thirty-three people are now facing criminal trespass charges in connection with a pro-Palestine demonstration.
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