Metro Transit has partnered with four law enforcement agencies within St. Clair County, marking another significant enhancement to security on the MetroLink system.

The new partnerships are with the Fairview Heights Police Department, Belleville Police Department, the Swansea Police Department and the Shiloh Police Department.

The agreements provide additional off-duty armed law enforcement officers, on a voluntary overtime basis, to patrol MetroLink platforms and parking lots, and ride the train in to support the full-time MetroLink Law Enforcement Team.

“Transit riders will benefit from the new law enforcement agreements. They will help improve the transit experience for MetroLink customers, not only residents who ride the train every day in St. Clair County, but also for the passengers who commute from other parts of the region to St. Clair County to work, school and for medical appointments,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman, in a press release.

The newest agreements are expected to increase the professional law enforcement presence on the transit system, bolstering the ongoing regional effort to improve safety and security on MetroLink.

“Maintaining public safety and ensuring the security of our riders are top priorities within our collaborative security system. Having law enforcement presence is crucial to this multifaceted structure,” said Kevin Scott, General Manager of Security at Bi-State Development.

The new agreements will provide a wider pool of law enforcement officers and deputies available to voluntarily work as secondary officers.

Officers participating in this secondary officer pool will be compensated for their time on the transit system during off-duty hours, including any time incurred for warrants, court stand-by or appearances, or other related events resulting from an arrest made during the course of their law enforcement activities on the transit system.