July 12, 2016

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority  (RIPTA) has hired a private security company to enhance security at  Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence.   RIPTA officials today said that uniformed, unarmed employees of AlliedBarton Security Services began work on July 1, 2016, and will be at the busy transit hub seven days a week to support RIPTA staff and local police, and also to assist customers.

“Kennedy Plaza is the focal point of our transit system with thousands of RIPTA passengers, citizens of our state and visitors to the capital city using this location daily,” said Raymond Studley, Chief Executive Officer of RIPTA.  “This added security presence will promote a safer and more secure environment for everyone.  We continuously work with our partners in the downtown area – both in the business sector as well as law enforcement – and we feel that the presence of well-trained, uniformed security personnel will make the public feel more comfortable and also help head off problems before they occur.”

Studley stressed that the public will be encouraged to also play a role in keeping the Plaza safe and secure by following the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign that was started by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority and has since been adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   The national campaign is intended to raise public awareness about the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as stress the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement. 

He noted that AlliedBarton has extensive experience working with transit agencies across the country and that its personnel are trained in customer service skills and are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  Some of the other transit authorities that AlliedBarton provides service for include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, the Regional Transit District in Denver, Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona and Amtrak rail.

For more information on RIPTA services, please call 401-781-9400 or visit ripta.com.