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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will begin conducting random bag inspections to “make it more difficult to plan and carry out a terrorist act,” the agency said. MBTA previously checked bags for a limited time before and during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

The authority will use equipment designed to examine a “swab” of bags’ zippers, seams or handles to detect traces of explosive material.

MBTA Transit Police also will begin deploying high-visibility “impact teams” trained in anti-terrorism and behavioral recognition techniques to patrol the system.