Statement from MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker
on the shootings at a VTA railyard in San Jose, California.
All of us at MARTA are heartbroken after hearing of the
shocking violence and loss of life at a railyard in San Jose. Gun violence has
shattered the sanctity of so many of our once safe places, from churches to
theaters to schools and now public transit. Protecting the safety of our
employees and customers remains the most important part of our job and to see
such a grievous violation of that safety at a fellow transit agency is
devastating. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the people killed
and to members of ATU Local 265.
The MARTA Police Department routinely trains for active
shooter situations and has recently partnered with the Atlanta Police
Department to provide specialized training and equipment to frontline transit
officers so they can respond immediately in the event of an active shooter.
Additionally, all MARTA employees have received important information on how to
respond to violence in the workplace.