New Security Firm Hired To Patrol Bus Tunnel

King County has hired a new private security firm to patrol the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, replacing the firm whose guards watched while a teenage girl was beaten in an attack caught on surveillance cameras.

County Executive Dow Constantine announced Thursday that Securitas Security Services USA guards will replace those of Olympic Security over the next 45 days.

Securitas guards will report suspicious or inappropriate behavior, look out for safety or security problems in the tunnel and assist passengers, among other duties, Constantine said in a news release.

Metro will continue to use personnel from Olympic Security to carry out other, more limited security tasks. Olympic guards recently received additional training in defusing potential physical conflicts, and will continue to provide security in the tunnel during the transition to Securitas.

Previous Stories: February 24, 2010: 3 Robbery Suspects In Bus Tunnel Beating Appear In Court February 22, 2010: Bus Tunnel Guards Have More Authority After Beating February 19, 2010: Tunnel Beating Suspects' Parents Face Death Threats February 18, 2010: Lawyer: Bus Tunnel Victim Deserved Protection Despite Criminal Past February 18, 2010: Woman Says She Was Beaten, Robbed By Victim Of Bus Tunnel Assault February 12, 2010: Victim Of Bus Tunnel Beating Speaks Out February 12, 2010: Armed Officers Now Patrolling Bus Tunnel February 11, 2010: Friends Of Girl Accused In Beating Say Victim Provoked Group Earlier February 11, 2010: Girl Pleads Not Guilty In Seattle Bus Tunnel Beating February 11, 2010: Bus Tunnel Victim Says She Begged Police For Help Before Beating