Chief executives from various police agencies are proposing thecreation of a Westside transit police division. The interagency unit would patrol TriMet, including MAX, west of Portland.

Newschannel Eight learned of the plan after obtaining a letter Beaverton Police Chief David Bishop sent to TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. In the letter, dated November 1st, Chief Bishop says,

"We are receiving information from our citizens, that they are unhappy with the current level of security provided to the current MAX stations."

kgw.com photo/ viewer Mark Tiedemann

A MAX train at Orenco Station.

The proposed new division would be made up of officers from Beaverton Police, Milwaukie, Hillsboro and Tigard Police Departments. Washington County and Clackamas County Sheriff's Offices would also

participate.

According to the letter, those agencies support the formation of an "Interagency Westside Tri-Met Transit Police Division."

Tri-Met security has been under fire after the attack of a 71-yearold MAX passenger in Gresham. TriMet's existing Transit Police Division is short staffed with only 28 sworn officers. TriMet averages 292,300 boardings a day on the 44-mile MAX system. TriMet says it will meet with Westside police leaders about the proposal

later this month.

Chief Bishop says, the extra security is necessary before the completion of the North-South Commuter rail system. He explains, "I don't think we are re-inventing the wheel. We are just looking at how to make the wheel better."