Sheriff's deputies were out early Saturday morning at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, driving the perimeter and patrolling the platforms.
There is no known threat on the transit system in Los Angeles, but the city has long been considered a potential target ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Security has been beefed up on Metro trains and buses. Bomb-sniffing dogs are making their rounds at subway stations and inside the train cars.
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, more than 959,000 people ride Metro trains and buses on any given Saturday. With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks just one day away, Metro passengers can expect to see random bag searches.
"We don't announce them in advance so it's a random operation so no one knows what stations we'll be at checking bags at any given time," said L.A. County Sheriff's Department Lt. Andy Rosso.
Thousands of LAPD officers are expected to be stationed at Los Angeles International Airport along with airport police. LAX officials say millions of dollars have been invested in new scanning technologies to screen passengers and luggage.
Police say the members of the public have a role in preventing terrorism. "If you see something, say something" is the message officials want to drive home this weekend.
