DENVER — The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is partnering with the federal government and a nonprofit group dedicated to crime prevention as it works to improve security around Denver's Union Station.
The City and County of Denver said it will also be addressing the problem.
According to a statement from the transit provider, the agency is taking action in response to "unwelcome activities" at the transportation hub.
RTD said it's taking advantage of strategic partnerships with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams and the Guardian Angels.
By leveraging those partnerships and increasing transit police patrols during peak periods, RTD said, the agency will "significantly bolster" the security presence at Union Station, the bus concourse, rail platforms and transit pavilions and on 16th Street MallRide shuttles, as well as other bus routes along the Colfax corridor.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock released a statement Friday in which he promised to address illegal activity there:
“Passengers at and residents around Union Station have contacted my office over the last several weeks with concerns about public safety at Union Station," the statement read. "In response to these concerns, I have directed our Public Safety Director and my Chief of Staff to meet with RTD management and the ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) today, and have sent senior level city staff down to the area to assess conditions and report back to me. Illegal drug use, public urination and unsafe loitering must not be allowed to continue. Union Station is an important public transit and commercial space and we will redouble our efforts to ensure it is clean and safe for all those who use and enjoy it. To commence immediately, Police Chief Pazen will increase police presence around Union Station to augment RTD in its effort to address illegal and unsafe behavior within the terminal.”
The changes come after ATU, the union representing RTD workers, complained of dangerous conditions.
The union said workers would refuse to work if conditions were unsafe.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.