Patco Inaugurates Passenger Bag Screenings

Patco high speed line passengers can expect random security searches as part of a new anti-terrorism program funded by the federal government.

KYW's John McDevitt reports that the program is a joint effort between Patco and the Transportation Security Administration.

The first bag searches took place yesterday at the Lindenwold, NJ station.  Six hundred sixty-three bags were searched.   TSA screeners were looking for weapons and explosives, and DRPA police were standing by to take action as needed.

One suspected crack pipe was confiscated and the owner was arrested.

Patco rider Brian boards at the Woodcrest station.  He says he opposes the random searches -- especially because there is no specific threat:

"I'm free. I have not done anything wrong.  You don't suspect me of doing anything wrong, right?  I look like a pretty average person."

David McClintock is chief of police for the Delaware River Port Authority:

"We don't want to wait for a specific threat and then act.  We want to be in a preventive mode."

McClintock says the searches will be scheduled a few times each month.

(File photo)