As part of its commitment to customer safety and security, Metra will be installing new posters on its trains and in its stations to educate riders about how they can report emergencies, crimes, or suspicious behavior to the Metra Police Department.
“Metra trains are among the safest and most secure ways to travel, but if a concern does arise, we want our customers to know the best way to reach us so we can respond immediately and effectively,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “These posters will be prominently displayed so the information will be available when and where our customers need it.”
The new posters will provide customers with multiple options to report emergencies, criminal activity, or suspicious behavior, including dialing 911 or Metra Police at 312-322-2800. Customers can also text Metra Police at 312-313-9015 or visit MetraCOPS.com.
The poster also includes a QR code that customers can scan to download the Metra COPS app, which is another way that customers can quickly and discreetly alert Metra Police to concerns on the train or in the stations. The free app is available for Apple users in the App Store or Android users in Google Play.
The app is intended for the reporting of safety and security issues on Metra trains and facilities, such as a crime in progress, disruptive or aggressive behavior, suspicious activity, unattended bags or packages, vandalism, panhandling, fare evasion or other concerns. (Customers are asked to not use the app for customer service issues, service disruptions or travel information.) Metra Police dispatchers can respond to the customer through the app, send out advisories and broadcast “Be on the Lookout” alerts to app users.
More information about the app can be found at metra.com/metraCOPSapp.
A Spanish language version of this release can be found here.