Police, fire, Omnitrans conduct hostage situation training on downtown San Bernardino city streets
SWAT team members of the San Bernardino Police Department took over a small section of downtown Thursday April 24th during a training scenario for the final phase of a Federal Transit Administration safety requirement before the nearly $200 million SBX dedicated bus line begin operations Monday April 28.
The training scenario began with a man riding one of the new SBX buses, filled with passengers, claiming to have a bomb in a backpack.
Police cordoned off the area and firefighters staged while SWAT began to prepare for a hostage situation.
For nearly two hours, the area around the Rialto Avenue and E Street intersection were closed to vehicles and pedestrians so the agencies could complete the required exercise.
During negotiations with the suspect, officers could see what was happening through a live feed from security cameras on the bus, Omnitrans officials said in a written statement.
A SWAT vehicle advanced to the rear of the bus and passengers were released a few at a time and transported to a nearby triage area by paramedics.
The suspect, who was played by a police employee, was eventually apprehended, ending the training exercise.
“Drills like these help our police and sheriff departments become familiar with our equipment. We put Omnitrans systems and procedures to the test,” Omnitrans security supervisor Mark Crosby said. “In the process, everyone learns something from the experience so we are better prepared to work together in the unlikely event that a similar situation arises.”
(Photo by Rick Sforza - staff photographer for The Sun)