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Metro began randomly searching passenger's bags for the first time Tuesday. Searches took place at the College Park Metro station in Maryland and the Braddock Road Metro station in Virginia.
The searches began just a day after civil liberties groups launched an online petition opposing the program.
Screeners swabbed some riders' bags and inspected them in a process that took less than a minute. Metro Transit Police say they inspected 25 bags in an hour at College Park.
Metro's program is based on similar efforts in Boston and New York. Metro police say the inspections have been in the works for years and are not a response to any particular threat. However, in recent months there have been various threats to the system.
Metro says the searches will continue at multiple locations throughout the day.
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Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials
The Chicago school board on Wednesday voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. The Chicago Teachers Union and community activists plan to show their disapproval by campaigning against elected officials who disagreed with them.How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started
You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.Leave a Comment
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