Latest news with #MARTAPolice
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
MARTA police train for active shooter scenario at Lindbergh Center Station
Police wrapped up active shooter training at MARTA headquarters in Northeast Atlanta late Monday night. The exercise began at 7:00 pm inside MARTA headquarters across from the Lindbergh Center Station. 'Could be a big startle for a lot of people,' said Lowanda Wheaton. Wheaton was catching the train there Monday evening where people could hear the simulation which included lifelike gunshots and shouting. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'You always take back something you can improve upon, you can share with other departments, that was a good lesson,' said MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. Kreher said the training exercise was already planned before Sunday's double shooting at the East Point train station. 'I feel very strongly that we'll make an arrest in that case,' said Kreher. Kreher said that case started as a pick-pocketing attempt. A passenger said they noticed someone rummaging through their bag and confronted them. That suspect shot them as they tried to exit the train at the East Point stop. A stray bullet grazed a second passenger's neck. Both survived. TRENDING STORIES: 4 charged with murder after shooting in Walton County Parents sue after they say 6-year-old daughter was racially attacked at school: 'It's disturbing' Cobb Co. teacher, wife accused of denying their children food and bathroom, confining them At the active shooter training event Monday night, Channel 2's Courtney Francisco asked the chief what passengers should do if faced with violence on a moving train. He said if you see an altercation starting to heat up, jump off. 'Sometimes, you can't. Sometimes, you might have to sit through, and you might have to fight it out,' said Kreher. He said he would like to conduct another emergency training simulation on a train or bus. Passengers liked that idea and said they will practice, too. 'There's never enough training. Always continue to train no matter what, and practice what you're learning in the training,' said Wheaton. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major renovation of MARTA Five Points Station is underway
A $230 million project that will change how one of MARTA's busiest stations looks and operates began on Saturday. The Five Points Station connects riders to all four rail lines. In order to make room for construction equipment, bus riders will load and unload on Forsyth Street instead of Alabama Street. The work also includes upgrades for people who walk around the station. MARTA says there will be no changes to train service. In addition to the bus detours, MARTA said certain customer services will be impacted beginning June 6. Those services include the RideStore, Lost and Found and Reduced Fare office. Those offices at Five Points Station will be temporarily moved, along with MARTA HOPE and the MARTA Police Precinct. New locations for them during the closure have not been released yet. The following routes will stop at Five Points on Forsyth Street: 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue 40 – Peachtree Street/Downtown 813 – Atlanta University Center 21 – Memorial Drive 49 – McDonough Boulevard 55 – Jonesboro Road 107 – Glenwood 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb Three bus routes will be detoured to maintain service to Downtown and no longer stop at Five Points: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard 42 – Pryor Road 816 – North Highland Avenue The following routes will terminate at Georgia State Station: 21 – Memorial Drive 42 – Pryor Road 49 – McDonough Boulevard 55 – Jonesboro Road 107 – Glenwood 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb The following routes will terminate at King Memorial Station: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard 813 – Atlanta University Center 899 – Old Fourth Ward The following route will terminate at Civic Center Station: 816 – North Highland Avenue MARTA said regional transit partner buses, like CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett and Xpress will still run on time. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Johns Creek teen cashes over $545K in fake checks to pay lawyer in separate fraud case, police say 4 identified in apparent murder-suicide in southeast GA 3 men dead, others injured after shooting at GA bar [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Manhunt after two injured in shooting aboard MARTA train near East Point Station
The Brief Two people were shot on a southbound MARTA train near East Point Station; one victim hospitalized, the other treated on site. MARTA Police, with East Point Police, are actively searching for the suspect. Train service is single tracking between Lakewood and College Park stations during the investigation. EAST POINT, Ga. - Two people were shot aboard a southbound MARTA train Friday afternoon as it traveled toward East Point Station, authorities said. Police say they are still searching for the gunman responsible. What we know The shooting occurred at around 4:24 p.m. as the train was traveling towards the East Point station. One victim was shot in the chest and was undergoing surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, according to MARTA Police. The second victim sustained a graze wound to the neck and was treated at the scene. What they're saying "Our officers went to report of two persons shot at approximately 4:24 p.m. aboard a southbound train," said Maj. Timothy Maddox, North Precinct Commander with MARTA Police. Maddox said witnesses and the victims told investigators that the suspect attempted to rob one or more passengers before opening fire. After the shooting, the suspect fled the station heading north. He remains at large. Riders onboard during the incident described the chaos that followed the gunfire. "We heard three gunshots and everybody just jumped on the floor," said Mary Carson, who recorded video from inside the train. She and her boyfriend, Harrison Blackwell, were among those caught in the panic. "We heard the gunshots and just were shocked and looking all around," Carson said. "And the guy next to me was like, 'Girl get down! Lady get down!' So, I mean, we got down." Blackwell said he saw one of the victims on the ground after the shooting. "We went out and saw the guy was on the ground right out there and later saw the other guy that got the bullet, grazed his neck... it was really scary," he said. The couple, who live in Raleigh, were visiting Atlanta, where Carson is originally from. "I went to Woodward, so going outside with MARTA every day. And so it was just something you didn't expect riding on MARTA," Carson added. They say they're thankful to have escaped unharmed, but described the feeling of uncertainty during the moments that followed the gunfire. "'Where is he at?' Is he just, you know, somebody going around just shooting everybody or, you know, just one person?" Blackwell said. "We don't [know]... just kind of, I guess, just [hoping] we don't get shot next." What we don't know MARTA Police are actively searching for the suspect, with assistance from the East Point Police Department. What's next As the investigation continues, train service is single tracking between Lakewood and College Park stations. What you can do Anyone with information is urged to contact MARTA Police at 404-848-4911. This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@ The Source The details in this article were provided by MARTA.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 people shot on MARTA train, police searching for suspect
Police are searching for a gunman after two people were shot on a MARTA train Sunday afternoon. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the shooting happened on a MARTA train traveling southbound toward the East Point Station. One of the victims was taken to a nearby hospital and the other was treated at the station by EMS. MARTA police said both victims are alert. East Point police are assisting MARTA police in the search for the suspect. MARTA police said trains are using a single track from Lakewood Station to East Point Station while police investigate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Johns Creek teen cashes over $545K in fake checks to pay lawyer in separate fraud case, police say 4 identified in apparent murder-suicide in southeast GA 3 men dead, others injured after shooting at GA bar [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
MARTA bus driver quits due to safety concerns after co-worker's murder
The Brief MARTA driver quits over safety concerns after fatal shooting Three teens charged in Decatur MARTA driver murder Driver calls for stronger safety measures, including police presence A MARTA bus driver has handed in her keys and filed a lawsuit, citing unsafe working conditions. She says she blew the whistle months before the fatal shooting of a colleague in Decatur earlier this month. The backstory The murder of MARTA driver Leroy Ramos in Decatur has left his co-worker, Tamara Nolan, heartbroken. "I try to really, really sound the alarm and get help before, you know, someone had to get killed. It could have been avoided, I believe," said Nolan, who had raised safety concerns months prior. Nolan, who handed in her keys last week, says she had raised alarms after a rider, who refused to pay, threatened her life in late November. "He said, 'I don't care if it's a supervisor, MARTA police or even you. Somebody's going to die today,'" said Nolan. Despite reporting the incident to MARTA police, Nolan claims they didn't take her seriously. "They let him go ahead, walk around the corner. And I was so disturbed," Nolan added. The other side MARTA representatives have declined multiple opportunities to provide an on-camera interview over the last couple of weeks. But a spokesperson provided the following statement: "MARTA has a strict de-escalation policy designed to protect operators from violence that includes not engaging with customers beyond the scope of their position as bus operator and leaving enforcement of rules to MARTA Police. All operators receive de-escalation training during their onboarding process and continued training and education throughout their employment. "As our GM/CEO Collie Greenwood mentions in this video, there has been an uptick in violence toward transit operators nationwide, an alarming trend that began during COVID when we saw a deterioration of societal behavior. Our frontline workers are the backbone of this organization and MARTA leadership and police will continue working to protect and support our operators to ensure they feel safe on the job and well trained to react in escalating situations. "The MARTA Police Department is committed to maintaining a secure environment across our transit system. We have a comprehensive safety plan in place, with sworn officers, Field Protective Specialists, and K-9 units providing 24/7 patrols across stations, trains, buses, and parking lots. Our Special Operations Unit, including SWAT and undercover officers, conducts targeted crime suppression details, and dedicated train patrols further enhance security throughout the system. [...] "We encourage customers to use the MARTA See & Say app to report crimes or suspicious activity anonymously. The app allows users to send photos, videos, and messages directly to our dispatchers. Riders can also use the blue and white emergency phones in stations or contact MPD at 404-848-4911. "MPD works closely with the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 2 and Zone 5 to further enhance safety in and around our transit system. We are committed to continuously evaluating and improving our security measures to ensure a safe transit experience for all." What we know Nolan has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming a hostile work environment due to unsafe conditions. She is joined by the local bus driver's union and Ramos' family in calling for better safety protocols, particularly regarding fare evasion. What's next MARTA says it is working on a real-time crime center, expected to be operational by summer, to improve safety for its employees. "MARTA's network is equipped with thousands of cameras monitored in real-time from our operations center," the agency said. "By summer 2025, we will launch a fully operational Real-Time Crime Center to strengthen our ability to prevent and respond to incidents using advanced technology integrated with our CCTV system." The Source FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo interviewed former MARTA bus driver Tamara Nolan for this article. He also received a statement from MARTA in response.
