All eyes are on Austin’s first commuter rail line, but Capital Metro is the one constantly watching the tracks.
Thirty-eight cameras provide surveillance to nine stops along the 32-mile line. Officers monitor the live images from two nerve centers; one of them is located at Capital Metro’s North Operation Facility on Old McNeil Road.
Sergeant John Jones heads up systems security for Capital Metro he says people walk on the tracks and it’s a big safety concern.
“When we are watching the cameras on the platforms abnormal would be kids playing on the rails while Mommy and Daddy are checking out the schedule, it happens a lot.”
From June through November 2009, officers passed out 750 citations and tried to warn people it’s illegal to stop within 15-feet of the rail line.
Airport and 51st is a major problem concern for Capital Metro, and starting Monday the Austin Police Department will send extra patrols to the area.
The plan is to send three officers to the crossing three times a day for the first two weeks.
“I will have enforcement, I will have motorcycles out there and officers looking for violations and telling people you need to obey the laws. This is something new for that intersection,” said Lieutenant Craig Cannon.
Capital Metro’s new commuter line starts service Monday morning.
