RTD director proposes replacing armed security guards with social workers

"The Regional Transportation District would cancel its contract with Allied Universal Security, whose guards assaulted a Denver artist, under a proposed resolution that seeks to remove most armed officers from trains and transit stations.

The move would be among the most drastic steps taken by a U.S. transit agency in response to activists' nationwide calls to defund police. The resolution cites concern about security officers' run-ins with the homeless, people of color and other disadvantaged groups, and it would direct RTD to hire outreach workers -- including professionals with mental-health training -- to replace them."