Route 128 station plays role in Amtrak security exercise

By Globe Staff

Security was stepped up this morning at Amtrak's Route 128 station as part of an exercise across the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak said that 150 railway stations between Fredericksburg, Va. and Essex Junction, Vt. were involved in the exercise, which included Amtrak police and security officials, Transportation Security Administration personnel, and officers from approximately 100 commuter rail, state, and local police agencies.

"We are one team, with one mission, and that is to protect rail and mass transit passengers, patrons and employees from harm, manmade or otherwise," Amtrak Police Chief John O'Connor said in a statement. "We had hundreds of law enforcement officers across 13 states and Washington, D.C. report to duty as one force this morning, and that is our greatest strength."

The operation enabled TSA and local police to familiarize themselves with the stations and establish a highly visible security presence, Amtrak said. The railroad emphasized that the exercise was not a response to any particular threat or incident.

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