The MBTA C.A.R.E.s

Sometimes it's kids hanging out by the tracks; sometimes it's adults taking a shortcut; but it's always trespassing and it's always Illegal. The people getting arrested on the railways and being charged with trespassing in Massachusetts are actually very lucky. As long as they are in custody, they haven't lost the game of chicken they were playing on the tracks.

The MBTA has engineered Operation C.A.R.E. (Commuter Rail Air-to-Rail Enforcement) to better protect the people living along their railways. The concept of C.A.R.E. is to team up MBTA Police officers in the air with officers on the ground. Those in the air are in a State Police helicopter piloted by a State Police officer and MBTA officer, corresponding with MBTA officers on the ground. This provides a more comprehensive and efficient means of law enforcement along the commuter rail system.

"Operation C.A.R.E is a different course of action that the MBTA has found very effective," said MBTA General Manager Robert H. Prince, Jr., "it allows MBTA Police, State Police, and community police to work in a cooperative effort to make our commuter railways safer and prevent trespass-related casualties."

As a result of the seriousness of outcomes that can result from trespassing, the MBTA has adopted a zero tolerance policy. Violators are immediately arrested and charged with trespassing. The MBTA has enlisted the help of the District Attorney's Office and Probation Department to impose restrictions on those arrested. Those arrested are often required to attend an MBTA-sponsored rail safety education program as part of their probation.

Operation C.A.R.E., together with public education and awareness programs such as Operation Lifesaver, is helping the MBTA protect the public from the dangers that lie along the state's railways.
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