If you've ever ridden an Amtrak train, it's likely the train company considered you suspicious – at least once anyway. At least that's how it seems and what led The Huffington Post to file a FOIA request to access the policies leading to police searches after hearing of customer complaints. The HuffPo found no evidence suggesting a serious threat, although it did note that some arrests could be considered as stemming from "racial profiling."
According to company documents, Amtrak customer service employees are instructed to come into contact with and speak with travelers who exhibit any of the following behaviors or actions:
• Evasive path through train station
• Carrying little or no luggage
• Last minute reservation
• Traveling by an unusual itinerary (multi-changes in reservations)
• Carrying an unusually large amount of currency
• Purchase of tickets in cash
• Purchase tickets immediately prior to riding
• Unusual nervousness of traveler
• Unusual calmness or straight ahead stare
• Looking around while making telephone call(s)
• Position among passengers disembarking (ahead of, or lagging behind passengers)
Basically, that's anybody and everybody who patronizes the railway transportation company.
"[Amtrack police] has filled its trophy case with victories like arresting a black woman because passengers felt she was speaking too loudly on the phone, arresting a black man because another passenger falsely stated he threatened her, and even arresting a photographer because he was taking pictures of a train for the annual Amtrak 'Picture our Train' competition," reports Huffington Post.
Amtrak also encourages riders to report "suspicious" travelers with their "See Something, Say Something... Hopefully It's Nothing" campaign.
It's unclear if Amtrak has responded to HuffPost's allegations. HNGN also welcomes an explanation.
