Metro to continue evaluating bag checks

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Metro Transit Police will not set a timetable for evaluating recommendations by New York police on random bag searches as a precaution against terrorism, an agency spokesman said yesterday.

Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson is scheduled to meet with officials who last Thursday visited with representatives from the New York Police Department to discuss the recent security-procedure changes in that city's trains, Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said.

The changes in New York's subway system were implemented after last month's London bombings.

During their visit to New York, officials discussed the legal ramifications of random searches of passengers, Mr. Taubenkibel said.

The public will be notified in advance if officials authorize the use of searches, he said.

"If [Chief Hanson] decides she wants to do random bag searches, she will let everyone know," Mr. Taubenkibel said.

Metro officials also examined training procedures and communications during their trip to New York.

There was no word on when the officials would meet with Chief Hanson, Mr. Taubenkibel said.

Metro police have not decided on what recommendations, if any, would be adopted locally, he said.

"At this point, it's still open for discussion," Mr. Taubenkibel said. "We're still researching."