Unsuck DC Metro: Metro Cops Avoid Stations because of Poor Radios

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Metro Cops Avoid Stations because of Poor Radios

Metro Transit Police Department sources, including officers, tell Unsuck DC Metro that Metro cops often avoid certain stations because the poor quality of radio reception makes it difficult or impossible to call for backup in event something bad were to happen.

The sources said the situation puts riders, Metro employees and transit cops at risk but has been ignored by Metro management.

One officer said the radios have poor reception "throughout most of the system, even in the open."

"In many stations like L'Enfant, Metro Center, Anacostia--all the main and bad stations--the radios sometimes don't work at all! I am comfortable saying 80 percent of the area we cover has terrible radio service!"

Another officer confirmed the problem, adding that the reception varied like cell phones sometimes do. It could work fine one place for one moment and then suddenly lose coverage, they said.

"We've brought this to Metro's attention, but they have yet to do anything," the officer said in an email. "With these radios, I'm reluctant to get into a situation where I can't communicate with my fellow officers to ask for backup."

The source said this was a common practice among many officers and a source or tremendous frustration in the department.

A source intimately familiar with the Metro Transit Police Department's operations said the following in an email:

The radio system is so dangerous, and MTPD's top people know it, and most of them would admit privately that it worries them. But politics is reality, and Metro cannot admit officially that it spent a lot of money on this radio system, and it does not work. I'm not trying to be over-dramatic, but this could get someone killed. Maybe an officer, maybe another employee or a patron.

Other items:
Metro falls short of lowered goals (Examiner)
Metrobus to the rescue? (WTOP)

Comments (76)

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+13 Vote up Vote down

F'n JD · 715 weeks ago

Why doesn't WMATA sue the contractor who installed it for failing to do so properly?

10 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

Im sure the contractor has confirmed that it was correctly installed. It was a big contract and they were professional people. There are thousands of weak links that could cause poor radio comunication which are not related to equipment failure.

+10 Vote up Vote down

Teresa · 715 weeks ago

Check out the relationships between whomever directed procurement and the contractor employees and there's your answer.

-6 Vote up Vote down

David · 715 weeks ago

Answer to what though, It is alleged that the communication is bad. we should not assume that these statements are completly true.

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Mike · 715 weeks ago

The problem is that Metro has never had an adequate, centralized radio system. It is recognized that train operators are often unable to communicate with central command due to the inadequacy of the communication system.

+11 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 715 weeks ago

the metro employees who were assigned to "escort " the contractors during the radio system upgrade say instantly that the new cable being installed was not correct and i think they said it actually was the same type cable. they immediately contacted their supervisors who in turn contacted the communications superintendent who basically blew them off. from what i understand the "contractor" who installed the system was later hired as the superintendent of the communications dept. so i guess he will never admit there is a problem. i also work out on the rail line and i can verify that there are dead spots here that have existed for 15 years plus. they have been reported repeatedly to no avail. management knows but will not acknowledge in writing. also the communications has gotten worse in the last year or so. can't even communicate by cell phone in a lot of places that the radios do not work.

THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE 100% CORRECT!!

-3 Vote up Vote down

David · 715 weeks ago

Oh yeah , the leaky radiax, wrong stuff. We probably both know the jerk who blew them off but I thought he was a com engineer and was later put at a desk in the corner. Union people installed it, uninstalled it , later correct cable was installed. I could be mistaken though. Also the dead spots for VHF are different than the UHF unless some overlap.

+1 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 715 weeks ago

and you are correct . it was a comm engineer that blew them off

+1 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 715 weeks ago

i made an error earlier. the contractor did not get hired it was the comm engineer that became superintendent.

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David · 715 weeks ago

Start your own database of deadspots. Make sure mr sarles, the board , NTSB, and any political folks who could help get the information at the same time.

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n2deep · 715 weeks ago

we are asked on a regular basis to report dead spots. we do just that. next meeting we are asked again to report dead spots...guess what the list hasn't changed from the previous meeting only a couple new chain markers are added.

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Anonymouse · 715 weeks ago

So, let me get this straight: armed police officers are apparently scared to go into the system, but the poor unarmed citizens who actually have to use the system should just suck it up and risk their lives? I know it's not PC to criticize the police post-9/11, but these cowards need to be fired and replaced with officers who will actually do their jobs.

This, friends, is also why the government disarming you in the name of "safety" is a terrible idea. It's already unsafe; now you just can't do anything about it. Tazers, pepper spray, concealed handgun - the criminals have them anyways, but you don't. And now we know the cops aren't inclined to get involved to help you out!

11 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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guest · 715 weeks ago

On BIG difference: Cops are SUPPOSED to confront the potential danger. The rest of us can ignore, turn around etc.

I think it's unreasonable to expect ONE Metro cop--they patrol alone ya know--to gleefully walk into, for example, a gang situation when they can't call for back up.

I call that smart, not cowardly.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Bill · 715 weeks ago

I've never seen just one alone, Always two, and lately three or more.

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RGG · 715 weeks ago

In some areas they've been told to team up due to the radio problems (in the "old" days that would have been known as "congregating" and wouldn't have been allowed).

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Anonymouse · 715 weeks ago

Super. What about the rest of us, who have NO CHOICE but to wait on the platform with that gang?

-1 Vote up Vote down

MoRoNs · 715 weeks ago

get a car

+16 Vote up Vote down

Soylent Green Line · 715 weeks ago

Anonymouse, I suggest you take the plunge and join up to replace the "cowards" that aren't willing to just "do their jobs."

Furthermore, what does this have to do with the government disarming anyone? Do you fancy yourself some Old West shooter, capable of a quick draw against nefarious bandits that have already gotten the drop on you in a station?

The police here are airing a legitimate concern, one that impedes their ability to perform their job. You should take that into account rather than calling people cowards for not wanting to do something you probably wouldn't want to do yourself, or beating your chest and whining about the so-called Nanny State.

0 Vote up Vote down

Anonymouse · 715 weeks ago

I have no problem with them expressing their concerns, which are entirely legitimate. I have very real issues with the fact that they seem to be refusing to do their jobs, which is patrolling metro stations and keeping us safe. Until they do so, yes, I'd like to be armed.

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Anon · 715 weeks ago

Really friend, you're an idiot.

Having no radio communications is like sending a police officer out with a gun that has no rounds. No police officer is refusing to do his/her job and they are CERTAINLY not cowardly- they're using their brains. When hired, I am sure they didn't agree to fulfill their duties without being properly prepared to do so. Weapons, communications, protective attire, etc- it is all REQUIRED to perform their function as a police officer, not a luxury.

Please pull your head out of your ass.

+10 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 715 weeks ago

Well, if that "armed" officer was simply allowed to shoot the thugs and be done with it it would be all good. Unfortunately though, he/she is expected to confront a gang of ten hoodlums the same way as if it were only one: with "reasonable" force....... Cowards? No....Safety! Not "scared" but "smart."

"Do their jobs?" Wouldn't a radio system that works correctly enable them to do just that? It sure would make it much easier to check for warrants on the bad guys, wouldn't it? And to give look-outs to other officers for the thug-ette that just snatched your iPhone from your hands. The radio is a tool, just as a handgun or baton is. And it needs to work, just like the other tools do. It's essential to the job.

+5 Vote up Vote down

Daf · 715 weeks ago

They're not paid to walk into an ambush or riot without gear that will ensure they get home alive.

+3 Vote up Vote down

Think about it · 715 weeks ago

Not "scared" to go into a station. But are ineffective once inside. Can not call out an immediate need for help, nor can answer a call from dispatch. Someone could be getting murdered/raped/robbed on the lower level of l'enfant plaza, and can't receive the call on the upper level of l'enfant plaza due to NO radio service. Therefore, it makes more sense to be outside of l'enfant plaza to be able to receive the radio run from dispatch. Do i need to use crayons to explain this to you "cop-haters" who are just out for blue-blood?

+9 Vote up Vote down

Kat · 715 weeks ago

This is not just a problem for Metro, it is unfortunately a common problem in downtown DC. There are so many competing radio systems from all of the various police and security agencies, not to mention the radio bands that contractors utilize.

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John · 715 weeks ago

Just ridiculous.... absolutely unacceptable!!!!

Do they ever test shit before they put things into the system? Is it a surprise everything breaks down?!?!?!?

7 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

Yes John, it was tested, and it is re-tested, The article makes me think they are most unhappy with Hand Held equipment. I don't think the federal gov. considered METRO s tunnels and undrground stations when proposing "project 25". PG, AA, any other above ground jurisdictions have less to deal with. METRO has unusual terrain to work around.

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Teresa · 715 weeks ago

The radios were tested and evealuated, but Metro went ahead with it anyway.

-13 Vote up Vote down

David · 715 weeks ago

Yes, tested and evaluated and passed, Metro went ahead because the system worked. Again I have to say the article" alleges" the high percentage of poor communication. Lets critique the article a bit first. Consider this, what would a person benefit by saying something like this. Is it an excuse for not responding ? Are they angry with someone ? Is Metro going to cough up some test results ? Would they rather not work some stations ?

+8 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 715 weeks ago

TOTAL BULLSHIT. the radio communications are horrible in places. the shady grove side of the red line. the orange blue line from foggy to pentagon and to courthouse and the orange line outside to vienna. newcarrolton end also.
i do not "allege" anything. i am speaking from experience. everyday i deal with unacceptable and poor radio communications.
david, tell me why a lot of the conversations on the radio are along these lines:
OCC-" sir central cannot copy please try your hand set"

train 120-" cen..... we hav........ a ..................copy?"
OCC-' train 120 try your handset or change location or go to the nearest ETS box if this is an emergency"

go to an ETS box if this an emergency??? try your handset?? how about fixing the radios and stop pretending there is nothing wrong!
and sir if the system works like you claim why was the radios on the 6000's not used? because they were designed to able to work with the "new radio system".
why were road mechanics issued cell phones on top of analog and digital handheld motorolas? because they know the system has a lot of holes in it.

-3 Vote up Vote down

David · 715 weeks ago

Perhaps Metro should allow outside monitoring, for the purpose of documenting this. Write a request to the inspector generals office. It becomes a safety concern and is a reasonable request. If you don't trust Metro to do the testing they should swallow there pride for the sake of safety.
The places you describe as problem areas, have they always been that way or is it a rapid overall decline or both. Just as far as CRCS

+2 Vote up Vote down

John · 715 weeks ago

David= Metro/Radio Company PLANT

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Teresa · 715 weeks ago

Outstanding!

+16 Vote up Vote down

fdfsfsd · 715 weeks ago

I was on a train recently going to Shady Grove and there were two metro officers riding next to the door. Something came over their radios and it was unintelligible. The one radiod back they didn't hear it and another unintelligible noise came back. This went on for two stops until they got off at Rockville. These were above ground transmissions. It was obvious the officers were annoyed about how bad the signal was. I'm no cop, but logic would tell me that a working radio is pretty high up on the list of necessary tools for officers, especially if you're patrolling an area where gangs of teens have been assaulting eeach other and bystanders.

This is just one more example of how metro's management fails. Metro promotes from within with little if any regard for ability and merit, and we're all left dealing with their incompetent asses.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

Were the radios UHF or VHF ? were the antennas close to the body or on a shoulder mic ? Were they on Talkaround or standard ? so many variables, to many to list. The officers probably knew what to do. So Twinbrook, Whiteflint, hope there were no gangs there.

+2 Vote up Vote down

NotAllOfWMATASucks · 715 weeks ago

I don't know how the radios differ from the ones other WMATA workers use. But from what I've overheard they aren't useful. It's more reliable for them to call the other worker via their Verizon cell phones. But oh wait, WMATA passed a rule a while back that prohibited the use of cell phones for most cases.

+15 Vote up Vote down

exmetro · 715 weeks ago

This is pretty much par for the course in how Metro handles things. Spend big money and then stick to your guns no matter what even if the big money project didn't work at all and actually made things worse.

For all of you calling MTPD cowards, I say to hell with you. There are very few officers covering a big area filled with miscreants.

Good luck out there.

+16 Vote up Vote down

Teresa · 715 weeks ago

Metro has been aware of the radio issue since it was first being tested out, and the Polics Union has not been active in working for officer safety. If you
research far enough, the radio contract was probably given to someone's
brother-in-law.

For reasons like this (and many more), Chief Taborn gets a vote of "no confidence" from the police union -- but the board considers the radio issue a petty grievance against Taborn personally.

Nevermind getting the board to agree to setting up direct emergency
line to Metro Transit. Calling 911 wastes an incredible amount of time if the dispatcher in DC, MD, or MD *decides* to pass the call on to Transit Police!

Meanwhile transit cops are called on for customer services as the station
managers goof off. When a cop gets to act on the sundry aspects of his job such as ticketing, arrests, confiscating forged passes, et cetera, the officer is actually counseled for demonstrating a lack of customer service.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

The radio contract is Motorola, it is motorola equipment. Im sure that someone working for Motorola is a brother in law, sister in law, mother, father, wife , husband, daughter , son, to someone. In other words that statement is too general and not productive.

+3 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 715 weeks ago

It's Motorola equipment, but didn't Motorola turn over the maintenance to WMATA a couple of years ago? If so, I have to wonder if WMATA should have accepted it.

-8 Vote up Vote down

Vin · 715 weeks ago

These transit cops are often seen communicating with their fellow officers, standing outside the stations with coffee and donuts. That way they are safely protected by MPD.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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RGG · 715 weeks ago

Trolling today, Vinny?

+1 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 715 weeks ago

Nice trolling, Vinny.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 715 weeks ago

What an ass

0 Vote up Vote down

@_KidIncredible · 715 weeks ago

To crib a NASA line:
No bucks, no Buck Rogers 25th Century Electronic Walkie Talkies.

+7 Vote up Vote down

dfsdaf · 715 weeks ago

This problem is not isolated to the police. Metro's radios are a problem in every department, yet they do nothing about them.

How are we supposed to have a safety culture without being able to communicate?

It's the basic, first step.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

In what way are they a problem, Is it user abuse? are they properly taken care of? Is there a specific example you can talk about ? To say they are a problem and nothing is being done does not pinpoint anything to examine. Not to be unkind but it makes a person sound like a "winer" and not someone who wants to solve a problem.

+10 Vote up Vote down

youdontknow · 715 weeks ago

David=Motorola

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Soylent Green Line · 715 weeks ago

Or Stessel.

+3 Vote up Vote down

youdon'tknow · 715 weeks ago

I must correct myself.

DAVID=METRO

+1 Vote up Vote down

guest · 715 weeks ago

I saw 8 or 9 cops the other day at Courthouse! COURTHOUSE! What's the thinking there?

5 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Tell Da Truffff · 715 weeks ago

maybe they were going to the COURTHOUSE!!!!

+1 Vote up Vote down

guest · 715 weeks ago

Well of course that occurred to me, so I asked. They said it was a show of force. There were also 3-4 police dogs.

Again. Seriously? COURT HOUSE?

D-U-M-B as are you.

0 Vote up Vote down

spooky · 715 weeks ago

well, yeah. You know how rowdy those defense contractors and IT geeks can get.....

0 Vote up Vote down

metroretired · 715 weeks ago

absolutley you asked, I have no doubt. I am psychic to I would have known to ask because of this post.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Tell Da Truffff · 715 weeks ago

yes, lets name call. How mature.

+2 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 715 weeks ago

Maybe they had _Court_ appearances that day?

Or, MTPD picks random stations from time-to-time to saturate with officers from their SOD team. High Visibility "Details." Maybe it was simply Courthouse's turn for this.

0 Vote up Vote down

Tell Da Trufff · 715 weeks ago

FYI, this is why D.C. MPD are NEVER in metro stations. Their radios DO NOT work in the Metro System Either. So this isn't just MTPD.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

All services are supposed to have this type radio system, no matter what the difficulty, They had to purchase them ! Could you call that an unfunded mandate.

+7 Vote up Vote down

One take · 715 weeks ago

Shocking.

What is it going to take for Metro to wake up and fix its mistakes? - and equip its officers in the best way possible so that they can in turn protect the public?

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

Honestly, What equipment ? what have you established so far. Can anyone offer anything other than vague comments that the radio system is not working. Other than the comments , overblown at best, that the system dosn't work. I assume it is the new trunked system but what if it is the older system still in use? What if it is a handful of winers ? Please, any facts at all !

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RGG · 715 weeks ago

Mostly loss of signal. Constant "dead air" tones over the radios. Gallery Place and L'Enfant are horrible, sometimes. As are parts ob the Blue/Orange between L'Enfant and Stadium-Armory. Thus, officers learn where NOT to hang around for too long. They don't want to miss calls, nor do they want to have to rely on the radio in an emergency.

+8 Vote up Vote down

Teresa · 715 weeks ago

David, are you perhaps confusing handheld radio use with radio signal relay? We're not discussing clarity of a transmission, but a _loss of or lack of signal_ throughout the system. The level of crime is directly proportional to where radio signals aren't transmitted well (if at all).

Let's start with not enough relay antennas, or many broken antennas (such as the ones found at GA Ave-Petworth), or antennas covered in brake dust.

Officers have complained about radio signals not being carried -- not the handsets per se as the handsets are charged daily and kept in good repair because they are a lifeline *when they work.* A handset can keep transmitting but if there's no way to get the signal to dispatch, how is that the officer's fault or responsibility?

In each of these stations officers have to take a suspect topside to radio Dispatch: Brookland, Clarendon, Dupont, Gallery Place, Wheaton, L'Enfant, Forest Glen, Friendship Heights -- just to name a FEW. As soon as the train pulls into several of these stations (and many more unnamed), commo is cut off throughout the platform, escalators, and sometimes, even on the mezzanine.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

No Im not confusing your absurd terms with handheld radio use. The rest of what you said is just not organized or well thought out. Sometimes it is just not worth trying to converse with someone who wants to impress not by asking the correct questions but by blending hodge-podge terms

+3 Vote up Vote down

Teresa · 715 weeks ago

You wanted examples, I gave them to you.

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Teresa · 715 weeks ago

N.B.: I would also like to address that "being reluctant" doesn't mean that an officer doesn't partol or respond, but he knows very well that he is alone. Officials are very aware which stations have radio problems and have directed their personnel to respond only when necessary.

+6 Vote up Vote down

Teresa · 715 weeks ago

David, to answer your questions directly:

"Were the radios UHF or VHF ?"
UHF

"were the antennas close to the body or on a shoulder mic ?"
Both

"Were they on Talkaround or standard ?"
Digital

"I assume it is the new trunked system but what if it is the older system still in use?"
I will have to double-check that for you.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

Teresa, It is very good that you took the time to inquire, I assumed it was the handheld.. I would like to let you know that MPTD talkaround is digital, You are the only one to discuss this problem on a level far above "wawawa"
I have seen the shoulder mics with antennas incorrectly installed many times. If that is a problem the signal stops there as far as any distance, It will still travel a short distance. Batterys should be tested,low battery, low power. Combine that with atmospheric changes, other components in the tunnels, different sites up and down . Why don't you push for centralized failure reporting of problems to show in black and white to the general manager, the board of directors, and ant safety commission who will accept it. Show that you take responsibility for your personal equipment and demand METRO be responsible to your organized failure complaints.

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Teresa · 715 weeks ago

David, the dead areas are documented. There is a "centralized failure reporting." Additionally, I assure you that it is [e]nsured that [personnel] equipment is cared for very well.

Regarding "becom[ing] vocal," I ask, "To whom?" Officers cannot trust their immediate chains of command, employee relations, or their union. This issue was a great part of Taborn's "vote of no confidence."

Do you really think officers haven't tried everything you have mentioned and most likely more and not suffered some sort of retribution -- "snitches" are not only are stigmatized, but are given rotten detail assignments. They're considered non-team players and are summarily blackballed, even by the "union" which is supposed to prevent this.

+6 Vote up Vote down

ANON · 715 weeks ago

David's comments, rather than make me question the post, make me believe the radio issue is a HUGE concern by management and those who installed the system--yet they don't do a damn thing about it but comment bomb.

I am starting to feel sorry for Metro workers. No wonder they're always in bad moods.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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David · 715 weeks ago

I feel sorry for them too, I just feel the reporting was poor. I wonder if anything of value was said and not reported. You questioned the post too, you just had to defend your position anyway. Still what matters is an organized effort to document the dead areas, track decline of the system by continuing dead area mapping. Insure that personal equipment is taken care of,(avoid the blame phase), and become vocal with the information. It is not about "everybody knows" "managers don't care" vague vague vague. Tell the board or mr sarles or NTSB or inspector general WHICH MANAGER DOSN'T CARE

+5 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 715 weeks ago

we as workers have turned in written reports of poor radio communications for years. nothing has been done. there enough reports filled out and written documentation to choke a horse ten times over. there is no reason for our immediate supervisors to sit on or cover up these reports.
i see it as a very simple thing. metro talks safety but doesn't really want to get down and dirty to fix the real issues, the tough ones. they find it easier to hide in rail yards and highway overpasses and use speed guns to see how fast trains are operating. they like to ride the trains in hawaiian shirts and straw hats acting like tourists and monitor what the operators are saying in their train communications and then pounce into the cab and start writing them up. these are easy and harmless things management likes to tackle because it doesn't take any management skills or technical abilities. i have seen all these things happen and at first i laugh but then i get pissed off that this is what management thinks are the real issues.

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Metro Ryder · 715 weeks ago

Amen.

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Nony · 715 weeks ago

Who is the "David" dumbass that keeps posting?

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Roma · 715 weeks ago

Check out Channel 9 for coverage on this topic tonight...

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concerned citizen · 714 weeks ago

I'd like to see this tool "DAVID" go out and patrol deanwood, minnesota ave, or anacostia past 10pm on a friday or saturday night with no radio and see what kind of shit he comes back and talks then.