Station Decoration

Even as we wandered Union Station looking for something (Anything. Please!) to amuse us for a few moments, or provide a reason to continue breathing for another day or so, we were noting the lack (other than one or two private guards) of visible security (That is, security theater.) at the local surface transportation hub. As we seldom go out (& are under certain injunctions involving the crossing of county lines anyway) we haven't visited an airport (or Greyhound station) in many a yr., & were enjoying not having to remove our shoes or whatever indignities ordinary types suffer under the TSA.

Thought too damn soon, obviously.

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — An all-too-familiar sight at LAX and the rest of the nation’s airports will soon be coming to the city’s busiest train station.

KNX 1070′s Pete Demetriou reports rail passengers have started seeing Transportation Security Administration on patrol at Union Station on a more frequent basis.

As many as 25 VIPR (Visible Intermodal Prevention & Response) teams began patrolling train stations nationwide last summer conducting an estimated 9,300 “suspicionless” spot searches of travelers.

"Suspicionless" "spot searches?" That covers a lot of ground. And parts of the Bill of Rights.

Added grim detail. Assume the position, America!