RTD Trains Riders To Look For Anything Suspicious

DENVER (CBS4) - Homeland Security and the FBI warn Osama bin Laden's death could inspire homegrown extremists to launch an attack. The agencies issued a bulletin Monday to law enforcement across the country.

The most likely targets include major U.S. cities, government facilities, aviation and mass transit.

The Regional Transportation District has trained people from the community on their buses who keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Throughout the state as a whole, there are lots of people looking for trouble and hoping to stop it.

"We definitely have to be vigilant," Daria Serna with RTD said.

Everyday there are around 300,000 trips taken on RTD and more people are watching than you think.

"We make sure that they are always attentive, they know what to look for, and they're alert when they're riding public transportation," Serna said.

RTD's Community Emergency Response Team is made up of everyday people who ride the bus on a regular basis. About 300 people who have been trained to watch and report.

"It could be a first aid situation, it could be a crash, it could be a possible terrorism issue," Serna said.

Call it a microcosm of the state's system.

"There is a possibility that we could see some reprisal from al Qaeda," said Jim Davis, Colorado Department of Safety Executive Director.

The Colorado Department of Safety has over 400 terrorism liaison trained officers made up of mostly first responders. If there's a person, a car, something they're trying to track down, it's sent out through the Colorado Info Analysis Center to those agents.

"Through citizen involvement and through the terrorism liaison officer program we can cover the entire state," Davis said.

Just like RTD, they need their help. Following the death of bin Laden, Davis says don't be worried, be vigilant.

"We can't live in fear. If we live in fear, then we lose. That's what they want," Davis said.

As for RTD's program, anyone can join. It's free and they have information on their website. They also have a program called Transit Watch. If you see something suspicious, there's a number you can call, text, and even an e-mail address.

Link: RTD