February 24, 2010 Seattle changes guard company after attack www.privateofficer.com
A surveillance video of a 15-year-old girl being kicked and beaten Jan. 28 in the tunnel by another girl while security guards stood by has sparked widespread outrage.
Major Dave Jutilla, head of Metro Transit police said in a statement before the King County Council on Tuesday that it will be a smooth, safe transition to a new company.
“A decision was made, a policy direction to move away from the current security guard company and move towards a new one.” Jutilla said the transition, which would be overseen by the sheriff’s office will be in a “thoughtful and planned manner.”
Olympic Security will continue to provide security guards for the tunnel during the transition.
Mark Vinson, the president of Olympic Security said on Monday that the unarmed security guards in the Seattle bus tunnel now have the training and authority to break up fights.
Vinson said the unarmed guards will need to use discretion on whether to get involved in disputes. When asked if his guards were prepared or trained to make those decisions Vinson said yes.
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