Sam Dotson confronted an unusual challenge five years ago, when he became Chief of the Amtrak Police Department (APD), the law enforcement agency of the nationwide passenger train system owned by the U. S. government.

His department, whose 431 officers maintain the safety and security of stations, facilities, passengers and railroad tracks in 46 states, is headquartered in Washington D.C.’s Union Station, which is also occupied by unhoused people seeking a safe environment and relief from the weather, as well as spare change from travelers passing through.

Though their encampment surrounding the station has not led to a significant increase in criminal activity, there were many complaints from passengers and station business owners, as well as incidents that warranted police intervention. Moreover, the tragic loss of human potential was widespread in this population, as were substance abuse, mental illness, and human trafficking.

Said Dotson, “The experiences of our officers and passengers were a cry for help. We had to do something proactive to change this.”

From more than 25 years of law enforcement experience in other cities, Dotson knew that just cracking down on panhandlers, breaking up their encampment, or providing temporary overnight shelter would not solve the problems that created their situation or lead to long-term improvements.

He also realized that reducing homelessness requires a whole community effort involving housing authorities, health providers, and other stakeholders as well as law enforcement—who he notes have become the first line of defense when addressing the issues of the unhoused, despite lacking the social services capabilities necessary to effectively respond to these individuals.

The h3 Project, Mobilizing to End Homelessness and Human Trafficking

To address the root of the problem, and to help get as many people back on their feet, employed, and housed as possible, Dotson partnered with a crisis intervention group called the h3 Project.

Founded by Dr. Ami M. Angell to address homelessness and human trafficking in Washington, D.C., and its suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, h3 – which stands for Home, Health, Happiness – has been successful in helping people get their lives back on track.

On its website, h3 notes that in 2022, its volunteers found housing for 58 individuals, reunited 59 with their families, and provided vital documents and basic necessities for hundreds of others, while training 326 community members and law enforcement personnel in responding to opioid abuse and Narcan administration.

Said Angell, “We started working with APD informally about five years ago, then formalized our partnership with a contract three years ago. This provided funding to increase staffing and provide more comprehensive services.”

Added Dotson, “APD can’t solve homelessness or other societal problems, but we can fund some resources in our area of responsibility. Though we are responsible for all areas of Amtrak, 75 percent of the calls we get are in the stations.”

A National Police Force Protecting Railroads, Stations, and Passengers

“APD is a full-service police department,” continued Dotson. “We handle everything, with patrol, criminal investigations, and other divisions. And all officers are trained in Integrating Communications Assessment and Tactics (ICAT), which enables them to defuse a range of incidents successfully and safely.

“They’re trained to recognize the challenges they are dealing with, whether it be a medical or a mental health problem. They also know when to ask h3 to come in and if they should stay with them to ensure their safety.”

Added Angell, “People find it less stressful to talk to a civilian and we give officers more time for things that require their skills. But if something doesn’t sit right, they intervene.”

Asked about working with police, she said, “When hiring staff, we ask what they think about law enforcement to be sure they’re a good fit and also educate them so that they are comfortable working with police.”

Angell, who works with the Metropolitan (DC) Police Department (MPD) and the Washington (DC) Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as well as the APD, stresses the importance of collaboration with law enforcement. “Outreach is often siloed, so we have monthly meetings with liaisons from APD, as well as MPD and the transit police, to talk about issues and share information about things such as new detox and mental health facilities or shelters.”

Collaboration and Creative Solutions

“We also pass information to police and other groups in nearby Virginia and Maryland. By doing this, we have helped people who were trafficked, got lost because of dementia, or were missing for other reasons.

“We’ve reunited many people with family. And when new faces appear, if they are off their meds, we can usually get them back on track pretty quickly. This capability for fast action didn’t exist here before.”

Asked how she would advise other law enforcement agencies about homelessness, Angell said, “Keep in mind that you won’t solve the problem or fix someone overnight. And be creative. Customize your approach to helping that person.”

As an example, she tells the story of a person who had been homeless for 12 years. “It’s harder for somebody to change if they’re still in the same environment. He was raised in the D.C. area and found it hard to escape the cycle of drug abuse and homelessness here.

“He wanted a fresh start in a new place where he could reinvent himself. So, we got him a Zoom meeting with a detox and extended sober living center in Seattle. He is there now, sober, housed, and employed.

And some other individuals who were homeless are not only housed now but employed in the station’s fast-food restaurants and parking garage,” she adds.

A Reduction in Crime and Empowerment of Officers and Station Business Owners

According to Dotson, the department has seen a reduction in crime, fewer calls for service, and less of a burden on police and city services. The department backs this up with data indicating that reported incidents of disorderly conduct went down from 133 in 2017 to 70 in 2023, and all offenses went from 785 to 430 in that time.

He also said APD officers are positive about the partnership. “Our officers feel we’ve given them a new tool. h3 not only lessens their workload, but shortens the chain of command, so problems can be solved more quickly.

“As police leaders, it is our job to equip officers to meet the challenges they face. They become frustrated when they don’t have ability to get successful outcomes. Our officers care about these people, but never had the ability to change their trajectory before. Now they can pull out Dr. Angell to do that.

“We wanted to help Union Station business owners deal with the challenges, too. So, we provided information on who to call and when. Previously, they didn’t know what to do if somebody was just blocking their entrance, or stealing, or violent. This empowered them.”

As for the approximately 70,000 people who pass through the station every day, Dotson said, “According to a recent survey, passengers and the station’s business customers feel safe when they see our officers. But the presence of the unhoused still affects them negatively. Though we get good marks nonetheless, we know we have more work to do in regard to the issues surrounding homelessness.”

Asked about Amtrak’s other stations, Dotson said “We’re trying to evolve a similar program in New York at Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall with another provider. We have great relations with NYPD [New York City Police Department] and want to do anything we can to help our law enforcement partners get better outcomes and improve life for everybody—passengers, people who visit or work in our stations, and Amtrak employees.”

Photos courtesy of the Amtrak (Washington, D.C.) Police Department.

Faye C. Elkins
Sr. Technical Writer
COPS Office

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