Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
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Home > Closewatch RTA -- Send Transit Police text and photos

Closewatch RTA -- Send Transit Police text and photos

CLEVELAND - Closewatch RTA is a free app that allows customers of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to communicate with Transit Police anonymously. The app is available on iPhone and Android.

Closewatch.tips -- A tool for greater safety and security

This helps customers assist RTA in safety and security matters throughout the rail and bus system.

Customers can send texts, e-mails, photos and video. Don't have a smartphone? Call or text the non-urgent Transit Police line, 216-575-3937. Police will follow up on any tips as quickly as possible.

Check out details at www.closewatch.tips.

"Adding an anonymous reporting system encourages people to send tips," said Transit Police Chief John Joyce. "Adding Closewatch RTA expands our reach, in addition to the presence of officers on the buses, trains, at stations and on the streets, it is an extremely important tool and a great benefit to our customers. "

Use it wisely

RTA encourages customers to use this new smartphone app wisely: texting, calling or sending in photos, videos and tips on non-urgent areas of concern. The Closewatch system -- in use in various police departments, schools and transit systems around the country -- works most effectively when customers only use it to report police matters, Chief Joyce said.

RTA believes this app will help customers be additional eyes and ears on RTA vehicles and at stations, Chief Joyce said.

An added service

This new service is in addition to existing RTA security and safety measures. This adds methods to report concerns: When You See Something, Say Something .

Customers who witness a crime or have a security concern in emergencies can always:

  •     Call 9-1-1.
  •     Call Transit Police Dispatch 24/7, at 216-566-5163

Need customer service?

RTA customers who have questions about bus and train arrivals, route planning or other non-police matter comments, should continue to call customer service staff at the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500.

Background

The app and system were created to specifically assist police agencies and enhance their technology to assist the public. The start-up costs for RTA were approximately $5,000, which came from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant, along with monthly service fees. This app enhances RTA's effort to assist DHS in terrorism prevention. The system was formerly known as iWatchRTA.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Routes: 
1: St. Clair
2: East 79
3: Superior
5: Chagrin
HealthLine
7: Monticello - Euclid Hts.
8: Cedar - E. 116
9: Mayfield
10: East 105
11: Quincy - Buckeye
14: Kinsman
15: Union - Harvard
16: East 55
19: Broadway - Miles
22: Lorain Ave.
25: Madison - Detroit
26: Detroit
28-28A: Euclid
30: E. 140 - Lakeshore
32: Cedar
34: East 200 - Green
37: East 185 - Taylor
38: Hough
39: Lakeshore
39F: Lakeshore Flyer
40: Lakeview - Lee
41-41F: Warrensville
45: Ridge
48-48A: University Circle - East 131
49: Lorain - Center Ridge
51-A-B-C: MetroHealth Line
53F: Broadview - North Royalton
54: Brookpark
55-A-B-C: Cleveland State Line
NineTwelve Trolley
E-Line Trolley
B-Line Trolley
C-Line Trolley
Red Line
Green Line
Blue Line
Waterfront Line
75: Lorain
76: Broadway - Turney
77F: Brecksville
78: West 117 - Puritas
79-79A: Fulton
81: Tremont - Storer
83: Warren - West 130
86: Rocky River Dr. - Bagley
90F: Broadway - Libby
94: East 260 - Richmond
246: Westlake Park-N-Ride
251: Strongsville Park-N-Ride
263: North Olmsted Park-N-Ride
Major Stations: 
Airport Rapid Station
Amtrak (by request only) Rapid Station
Ashby Rapid Station
Attleboro Rapid Station
Avalon Rapid Station
Belvoir Rapid Station
Brecksville Municipal Lot Park-N-Ride
Brookpark Rapid Station
Buckeye - Woodhill Rapid Station
Cedar - University Rapid Station
Clague Park-N-Ride
Courtland Rapid Station
Coventry Rapid Station
Drexmore Rapid Station
E 9th / North Coast Rapid Station
E. 105 - Quincy Rapid Station
E. 116th - St. Luke's Rapid Station
Tri-C - Campus District Rapid Station
E. 55 Rapid Station
E. 79 (Blue/Green Lines) Rapid Station
E. 79 (Red Line) Rapid Station
Eaton Rapid Station
Euclid Park-N-Ride
Farnsleigh Rapid Station
Flats East Bank Rapid Station
Green Road Rapid Station
Kenmore Rapid Station
Lee - Van Aken Rapid Station
Little Italy - University Circle Rapid Station
Louis Stokes/Windermere Rapid Station
Lynnfield Rapid Station
Nature Center at South Park Rapid Station
North Olmsted Park-N-Ride
Onaway Rapid Station
Parma Transit Center
Puritas - W 150 Rapid Station
Settlers Landing Rapid Station
Shaker - Lee Rapid Station
Shaker Square Rapid Station
South Harbor Rapid Station
South Woodland Rapid Station
Southgate Transit Center
Southington (Blue Line) Rapid Station
Southington (Green Line) Rapid Station
Sprague & Fair Park-N-Ride
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center
Strongsville Park-N-Ride
Superior Rapid Station
Tower City Rapid Station
Triskett Rapid Station
W. 117 - Madison Rapid Station
W. 25 - Ohio City Rapid Station
W. 3 (Stadium) Rapid Station
W. 65 - Lorain Rapid Station
Warrensville - Shaker Rapid Station
Warrensville - Van Aken Rapid Station
West Blvd. - Cudell Rapid Station
West Green Rapid Station
West Park Rapid Station
Westgate Transit Center
Westlake Park-N-Ride

APTA Health and Safety

APTA Health and Safety


Source URL: http://www.riderta.com/news/iwatchrta-customers-can-send-police-text-and-photos