Metro Transit-St. Louis names public safety team

Metro Transit-St. Louis last week selected three hires to lead the system’s public safety team: Stephen Berry, Kevin Scott and Vernon Summer.

The team will assume responsibility for Metro Transit’s security operations from MetroLink General Manager Scott Grott on Sept. 9. Grotto has been overseeing daily operations for public safety on an interim basis for the past seven months, Metro Transit officials said in a press release.

The safety team was established in response to riders' safety concerns and to address recommendations from a MetroLink security assessment commissioned by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and conducted by WSP USA. The assessment called for improved law enforcement communication and better coordinated deployment of security resources.

Berry will lead Metro Transit’s security program as GM of public safety. He will lead the creation and implementation of the transit system’s security program, as well as integrated security and policing activities. 

Berry is currently deputy director of transit safety and workforce development at the Center for Urban Transportation Research. He was previously deputy director at LYNX, Orlando’s transit system; a consultant to the Florida Department of Transportation; and a public safety manager in southern California.

Scott will lead the public safety team as director of security. He will oversee collaboration with regional law enforcement partners and contracted security personnel. Scott has served as police chief of Ballwin, Missouri, since 2016, and has been with the Ballwin Police Department for 27 years. 

As contract security manager, Summer will provide leadership, training and strategic direction to Metro’s contract security team. Previously, Summer served as a lieutenant with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, police chief of Bella Villa, Missouri, and most recently the public safety director at the St. Louis Galleria shopping mall.