| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: | Alisa T. Jackson |
| Oct. 15, 2015 | | 404.804.1717 |
MARTA Police “Blow the Whistle” on Sexual Assault
The MARTA Police Department has launched #BlowtheWhistle, a comprehensive campaign to help customers remain safe while on the transit system that will include free self-defense classes that start next week.
“This awareness campaign is another layer of customer service we’re providing to let the people who ride MARTA know that we care about their safety,” said Police Chief Wanda Y. Dunham. “We want to empower our riders and reinforce the message that no type of assault will be tolerated on MARTA.”
While MARTA is one of the safest, major transit systems in the nation, the campaign is an effort to address recent sexual assaults on MARTA property and across metro Atlanta. In response, officers have been distributing flyers with safety tips and handing out whistles to customers to call for help in an emergency. The safety tips range from being aware of your surroundings to exiting an elevator if someone who makes you uncomfortable gets on.
Since last week, more than 1,000 whistles and flyers have been distributed. As part of the multi-pronged campaign, transit customers who prefer not to walk home alone can contact a MARTA Police Officer and be accompanied to their destination within a five-mile radius of any rail station.
Customers also can be immediately connected to MARTA police dispatchers by using the “See & Say” app, which is a free download for Android and iPhone users, or by using the white or blue courtesy phones located in rail stations.
MARTA’s first self-defense class, which is open to the public, will be held Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at The Decatur Recreation Center (Multi-Purpose Room) located at 231 Sycamore Street in Decatur, Ga. 30030. Other classes will be scheduled before the end of the year in the City of Atlanta and Clayton and Fulton counties.
Follow and interact with fellow customers on Facebook and Twitter using #BlowtheWhistle, #MARTACares and #EnoughisEnough.