TSA Gold Standard Award

KC Streetcar sets the Gold Standard in Transit Security.

The Kansas City Streetcar has been awarded a Gold Standard Award for transit security from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The KC Streetcar is one of six transit systems nationwide to be honored with this award in 2021.

TSA’s Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) is a comprehensive review of security programs to enhance threat prevention and protection and boost response preparedness. The Gold Standard Award is the top recognition that the TSA awards to a transit agency for achieving the highest scores on its BASE review, which evaluates 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness items identified as fundamentals for an exemplary program. The BASE review includes topics such as an agency’s security plan, security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs.

“When we started planning KC’s downtown streetcar, the goal for us was to have the best system in the country,” said Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. “There’s no better path to expanding the system than having a really successful, safe starter line operation,” Gerend concluded.

“The KC Streetcar team appreciates TSA’s recognition and partnership,” said Angela Laurie, Streetcar Program Manager, KCMO. “The Gold Standard award highlights the hard work and commitment of our full team. That work is evident every day in KC Streetcar’s priority to deliver safe and secure service for our riders and community,” Laurie continued.

The KC Streetcar was presented this award earlier this week in a small ceremony at the Singleton Yard streetcar maintenance facility. In attendance from the TSA were Jim Spriggs, Regional Security Director-Surface Operations Region 3, Mike Vizzacchero, Transportation Security Inspector (KCMO), and Todd Harris, Supervisory Surface Inspector (KCMO). “I commend the KC Streetcar team for their focus on security and wish them continued success in the future,” said Jim Spriggs, TSA Regional Security Director.