Posted at: 05/31/2009 11:23 PM
Updated at: 06/01/2009 7:27 AM
By: Jeff Maher, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

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Undercover cops to patrol city buses

Albuquerque Ride (file photo)

It's all part of the transit department's latest plan to stop crime from happening on buses and at some of the city's more dangerous bus stops.

The bus stop at Central and San Mateo is one of two bus stops where transit employees see a lot of problems-- from drunk passengers to drug activity and jaywalkers.

On Sunday, a girl who chose not to use the crosswalk was hit by a car on her bike as she tried to cross Central. She was taken to the hospital with head injuries.

A transit passenger was kicked off the Rapid Ride a short time later, the driver saying he was intoxicated and harassing passengers.

Albuquerque Transit Director Greg Payne says jaywalkers and drunk riders are just a few of the problems at Central and San Mateo and Central and Coors, another notorious bus stop.

That's why undercover transit and Albuquerque police officers will soon be riding along.

Payne said Sunday, "We know that we have increased ridership during the summer months and we want to make sure the bus stops and buses are secure and safe fore everyone who wants to be on them."

When the city used the undercover tactic last summer, cops issued 20 citations-- some even for jaywalking.

They also made several arrests, including a person who was dealing drugs at a bus stop, and another who had an outstanding felony warrant.

"We're not just going to keep it on Central Avenue, it's going to be citywide, but we know some of the problem areas and we're going to focus in on them," Payne told Eyewitness News 4.

Undercover officers will begin riding the buses and patrolling the bus stops at the end of this week, at the same time the Rapid Ride begins its late night summer service.