(The following article by Tracy Gordon Fox appeared in the Hartford Courant on March 25.)
HARTFORD, Conn. — State troopers riding Metro-North Railroad trains to help protect the nearly 100,000 Connecticut residents who commute to New York City daily will now be equipped with gas masks.
Union officials requested the masks last week, after realizing New York and New Jersey state police had the equipment.
Jerry McGuire, principal labor agent for the Connecticut state police, said he raised the issue with commanders Monday. By Monday afternoon, troopers riding the trains on the evening shift had them, he said.
“I didn’t see it as a problem,” McGuire said. “Once the troopers asked for them, the department responded immediately. I was very pleased.”
Since Thursday, about 50 state troopers have been riding the trains, and will continue to for the time being. New York Gov. George E. Pataki has issued an executive order extending the law enforcement jurisdiction of Connecticut and New Jersey state police into New York.
Sgt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman, said gas masks would now be assigned to every state trooper who rides the trains.
They would help police respond in the event of a biochemical attack on the trains, or in one of the train stations.
“They need to be able to respond, and they would need that equipment,” McGuire said.
The troopers are also on alert for suspicious activity, people or packages. No incidents have been reported.