BUS CAMERAS HELP METRO POLICE ARREST ROBBER

March 6, 2008

METRO police have arrested a robbery suspect based on images collected from cameras on-board a METRO bus.

The suspect, Peter Simmons Jr., allegedly robbed and threatened a bus operator on Jan. 18, 2008, while the operator
was on a layover on the 52 Scott route. The suspect stole the operator’s purse and jewelry and threatened to kill her
before fleeing the scene.

Based on a description of Simmons and video from the on-board bus, officers arrested Simmons, who has a criminal record, including assaults and weapons charges. He remains in the Harris County jail, charged with robbery.

METRO now has 50 buses equipped with cameras and is looking to outfit others with similar technology, said METRO Police Chief Tom Lambert.

“These cameras not only give us a powerful tool for investigating incidents on our buses,” Lambert said, “they also act as a deterrent to passengers looking to harm operators or other passengers.”

Lambert said the cameras are unobtrusive so passengers are unaware of their presence.

The bus cameras are part of METRO’s effort to use technology to improve safety and security of the system. Since installing a security system at its Park & Ride lots, METRO has seen a 43 percent drop in crime from the previous year.