Skip to navigation Skip to content
click here to view our 'Why' videos

TSA Supports VIPR Missions in Cities Coast to Coast

News & Happenings

July 4, 2007

Photo of a TSA VIPR member

The week of July 4, TSA stepped up its efforts to enhance security on rail and mass transit systems across the nation by deploying Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams to the National Capital Region (Washington), New York, Newark (New Jersey), Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Teams are designed to enhance security by working in mass transit, aviation, rail and other transportation modes along side local law enforcement agencies during specific periods of time or events. The exact makeup of teams is determined jointly with local authorities. During the past 18 months, TSA has partnered with local law enforcement to conduct 84 VIPR missions from coast to coast.

On July 3 in Los Angeles, TSA team members began their morning bright and early with an in-brief in the Emergency Operations Center of the L.A. Sheriff's Department (LASD). Once TSA teams were partnered with LASD units, they blanketed the Metro Red Line throughout the city, covering stations from Hollywood to Westlake Village, including historic Union Station in the heart of downtown.

During select morning and afternoon hours in Boston, TSA provided a uniformed presence at the entrance to the main lobby of the Route 128 Transit Station, which serves both Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail passengers and Amtrak inter-city passengers. VIPR teams were also deployed to several locations in the South Station area, with TSA participating in vehicle observation on the ramp leading to the station's parking garage in concert with the transit police. TSOs were also deployed to the adjacent bus terminal.

In Philadelphia, teams worked together with police departments for the airport, Amtrak and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to increase visibility, heighten vigilance and complement law enforcement efforts. At the 30th Street Train Station, canine teams, uniformed inspectors and covert FAMS patrolled the busy station, as did similar teams at the Market East facility.

VIPR teams enhance TSA's ability to leverage a variety of resources quickly to increase visible security in any mode of transportation anywhere in the country and are a normal component of TSA's nimble, unpredictable approach to security.

Additional VIPR Articles

  • Click here to read about VIPR teams at the 2007 All-Star game.
  • Click here to read about VIPR teams in Philadelphia.
  • Click here to read about VIPR teams at the Point Judith Ferry Terminal.
  • Click here to read about VIPR missions in cities coast to coast.