Houston METRO Bus Drivers Armed With Pepper Gel
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:48 pm
What do you think?POSTED: 11:57 am CST November 16, 2007
UPDATED: 12:15 pm CST November 16, 2007
HOUSTON -- Bus drivers are being trained to defend themselves and their passengers during a violent situation, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.
METRO has trained its first group of drivers how to use pepper gel, which they will keep strapped to their waist while on duty.
The pepper gel program is the first of its kind in the country, officials said. The training included instruction on defense tactics drivers could use when seated, verbal conflict resolution skills and other techniques.
If a driver needed to use the gel, they would first give a warning and then spray it at the person posing a threat.
"You never know who you pick up," driver William Fowler said. "At any given moment you could have the worst person known to man on your bus."
Drivers said they hope they never have to use the gel, but there is a history of safety problems on buses. Earlier this year, a passenger attacked and robbed a driver at gunpoint.
The pepper gel would give drivers a chance to fight back and get away.
"It's made so that you can't breathe this product in," Officer Roger Trevino said. "It's more for the eyes, nose, mouth area. It causes an involuntary blinking of the eyes."
The gel leaves a stain on the person's skin that lasts a day or two.
METRO has also started a bus marshal program. Officers in plain clothes will be out on the routes working to detect crimes that may not be committed in front of uniformed officers.
"When people make a choice to get out of their own automobile to use public transportation, the want to make sure the system is safe," Chief Tom Lambert said. "We believe it's safe. We're going to do everything we can to make sure we're staying on target and staying focused to do all things to maximize safety."
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