Searching questions
WORKING IN the shadow of the terrorist train bombings in Madrid and anticipating the Democratic National Convention at the Fleet Center, MBTA police will soon begin randomly inspecting T riders' bags. MBTA officials must protect the public without violating people's rights or crippling the flow of life in the Boston area.
During the convention, T officials say, larger bags will be discouraged -- and banned on the Orange Line and on buses traveling on Interstate 93. On other transit lines, large bags will be subject to inspection.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts plans to sue the MBTA, claiming that mandatory bag checks violate the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches. The ACLU held a demonstration outside the Park Street Station yesterday. On its website the ACLU says that police can legally ask to search bags, but individuals can say no. MBTA officials say those who refuse to be searched will not be allowed on the T.
It makes sense for MBTA officials to increase security during the convention. The DNC and the Republican National Convention make Boston and New York potential targets for terrorism. Even before 9/11, transportation officials boosted security, knowing that mass transit systems can be attractive sites for attacks. A lawsuit could provide welcome guidance on the legality of bag checks.
As they prepare for the convention, MBTA officials are taking logical steps. Confident that random bag checks are legal and can be done fairly, the T is launching a public information campaign on the new policy -- including signs, handouts, and information on the MBTA website -- to prepare riders. All T employees will be trained in observation and reporting techniques. MBTA officials should ensure that this training prevents superficial profiling and focuses on real security threats. The T will use machines to detect explosives and deploy bomb-sniffing dogs, buying and borrowing additional dogs. Other initiatives will be invisible and undisclosed to safeguard their effectiveness.
The pressing issue is what T security will look like after the DNC leaves town. The T's general manager, Michael Mulhern, says bag inspections, more dogs, and increased police presence could be part of long-term security plans -- but to determine this, T officials will conduct a thorough reevaluation after the convention ends. As they do this work, officials should seek feedback from riders.
A postconvention assessment is crucial. The MBTA is the first system in the country to start random bag checks. This could mean becoming a leader or a bad example of repressive or illegal measures. Aggressive security makes sense if there is a specific, credible threat. But the daily mission is to run trains and buses without compromising the laws and environment of an open society.
