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Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to launch Operation Regional Alliance Including Local, State and Federal Efforts (RAIL SAFE), a national transit-rail security program. Operation RAIL SAFE calls for increasing security teams on passenger trains, and conducting explosives sweeps with canine teams and random bag inspections.

The program involves the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Amtrak Police, and police agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, which will team up to initiate Operation RAIL SAFE throughout the Northeast to test counterterrorism capabilities.

“The multi-force, multi-agency security surge from throughout the Northeast is not in response to any particular threat or incident. Rather, it is part of a routine effort by partners in the Northeast rail and transit corridor,” DHS officials said in a prepared statement.

Also today, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to swear in John Pistole as TSA’s administrator. On Friday, the Senate confirmed his appointment. Pistole previously served the Federal Bureau of Investigation for more than 26 years in such roles as deputy director, assistant director for counterterrorism, and executive assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence.