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    1. Safety & Security

    Denver RTD Board considers changes to its code of conduct

    April 17, 2020
    The changes focus on addressing a large increase in those loitering at the Union State complex, but not riding the transit system.
    Related To: Regional Transportation District (RTD)

    In order to improve safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and to address long-term emergency responses issues, the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) security staff recommends the agency’s board of directors tighten rules of public conduct and operations in the Union Station bus concourse.

    At the April 14 operations and customer service committee meeting, Denver RTD staff asked that the board consider changes to the code of conduct and Union Station complex procedures that close the underground concourse for longer early-morning hours and, once fare collection resumes under normal operations, will require those entering the concourse to show a paid fare upon request by an RTD-designated representative.

    The board action item concerning the code of conduct, as amended, passed through committee by a vote of 11 to 4 on April 14, and will be discussed and voted on again during the full board meeting on April 21.

    In asking the board to make these changes, security staff noted a large increase in use of the concourse and the entire Union Station complex by individuals who are loitering but not riding Denver RTD vehicles, resulting in intimidation and harassment of riders, operators and security personnel. Federal and state health officials have strongly recommended social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Denver RTD and other transit agencies across the nation are trying to ensure passenger and operator safety by addressing loitering and sheltering-on-bus practices.

    In January alone, Denver RTD security staff noted 182 transit police calls inside the bus concourse, including 21 arrests, 62 ambulance or paramedic responses and 54 public intoxication calls, 23 of which resulted in individuals being transported to Denver Health for treatment.

    Changes are proposed to be made in phases and through work with Denver RTD’s recently formed homeless coalition task force, which now includes agency staff and will be extended in the coming weeks to homeless service agencies. Denver RTD says it intends to implement a collaborative plan – which would include staff training, outreach coordination and policy and procedure development – informed by experts working directly with individuals facing homelessness.

    “This will be a very thoughtful process, with many involved,” said Denver RTD Police Chief Bob Grado.

    Members of the board discussed concerns that some new measures will be seen as limiting free speech and freedom of movement and may also discourage positive future uses of Denver RTD facilities such as customer-oriented retail or ceremonies. Some directors also questioned a revised code of conduct clause that would give the general manager more authority to alter the code of conduct without board review.

    Board member Shontel Lewis said the proposed revisions might open the way to security personnel targeting disadvantaged groups and leave “too much ambiguity for people who have been historically over-policed.”

    Other members noted passengers and operators had expressed safety concerns or intimidation before the pandemic hit, and that personal safety concerns are heightened even more by the contagion.

    Part of the change formalizes a decision made in March to limit waiting times at Denver RTD facilities to 10 minutes during the virus outbreak response, which is meant to reduce passenger and operator contact with anyone who might be contagious. The proposal also states that clarifying the code of conduct will make it easier for Denver RTD to discuss with other stakeholders the management of Union Station spaces where oversight is divided. 

    The code of conduct proposal and new operating procedures for the Union Station complex would:

    • Make the bus concourse a “Fare Paid Zone” after COVID-19 fare elimination is reversed and relocate ticket vending machines to the entrances.
    • Allow for the concourse to be closed from midnight to 4:30 a.m., to provide staff with more time to conduct cleaning and maintenance.
    • Eliminate the two-hour waiting period previously allowed at Denver RTD transit facilities and make clear that anyone asked to leave a Denver RTD facility must do so.