Oregon Public Broadcasting

Tri-Met announced increased security measures Monday, including more police officers, fare inspectors and MAX station surveillance cameras. Becca Bartleson reports.

Tri-Met is tightening security in light of assaults and other criminal activity over the past few years.

The organization will hire fifteen new police officers, and add inspectors to enforce MAX fares.

These changes will be paid for internally, not through rate increases.

Tri-Met also received a $1 million grant from the Federal Transportation Security Administration for cameras at six additional MAX stations.

Fred Hansen is the general manager of Tri-Met.

He says riders will notice improvements in coming months.

Fred Hansen: "What individuals will see are more fare inspections, more officers and I think a sense of being able to freely ride and comfortably ride the transit system anytime, anywhere."

Hanson says Tri-Met hopes to have the new security measures in place within six months.