SKYTRAIN SECURITY STEPPED UP
Police will be out in force after explosive device was found on track
Michael Olaires isn’t going to stop riding SkyTrain because of the discovery Friday of an explosive device on the rapid transit line’s track in Surrey.
Olaires, 36, uses transit daily and said the discovery was “obviously unsettling.”
But the Surrey resident used SkyTrain for his regular family day outing Sunday with wife Kimmie and three-year-old son Marcus. And he will use it again Monday.
“You’re always concerned, but at the same time you have to trust they’re on high alert now, just being a little more aware of what’s going on,” said Olaires, 36.
Kimmie Olaires drives instead of using transit and admits to being concerned for her husband. “But that’s part of life,” she said. Her husband believes there is enough personnel to deal with the situation, but he’d like to see police, security staff and SkyTrain attendants have “more presence.”
“Making the rounds kind of like they were during the Olympics,” he said.
Transit police spokeswoman Anne Drennan said Sunday there will be more of that kind of security Monday for the resumption of heavy use of the transit system.
“We’re continuing with our increased uniform presence at train stations, SeaBus terminals and bus loops,” said Drennan. “You’ll see more officers both on trains and in and around buses,” she said.
There will also be more SkyTrain attendants. But they will all need the public’s help.
“Anybody who spots anything suspicious is asked to report it immediately,” Drennan said. “The safety of passengers is our No. 1 priority.
“We will continue to do sweeps of the entire transit system through the early part of the week.”
Drennan said the investigation into the device found Friday is ongoing, but no suspects or motive have been identified. Police don’t believe the bomb was left over from Halloween or a prank.
“Once the device was recovered by the explosives unit and dismantled, they were able to tell us this was in fact an explosive device that could have been very dangerous,” said Drennan.
Lars McKinnon, 29, of Vancouver said he is going keep taking the train. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue,” he said. “I have to take the train to get to work. I’m not going to let a bomb threat interfere with that.”
Burnaby’s Kevin Kostal, 23, also uses transit regularly, and said he’s not going to give up on it. “I don’t have much of a choice,” he said. “I’m going to take it regardless.”
Police are interviewing people from homes and businesses in the area where the explosive device was found. They are also searching the Internet and social media sites for people making threats about the system or bragging about being able to interfere with transit.