How Safe are Toll Road Workers Inside the Booth?

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Indiana Toll Road exit 77 robbery notre dame exit

Police say a man threatened and robbed a toll booth worker at exit 77 of the Indiana Toll Road, around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

(WSBT) Indiana Toll Road administrators are reminding workers about safety training a day after a man was threatened and robbed at a toll booth. But between on-site security and the number of employees working at any given time, some workers are questioning the safety of those on the overnight shift.

Police are still looking for the man they say is responsible for Tuesday’s robbery. At the time, the worker was alone at the plaza.

Every day thousands of cars, trucks and other vehicles travel through toll plazas on the Indiana Toll Road. But at night, toll booths like the one at the Notre Dame exit can quickly become isolated.

“They usually have one toll attendant either issuing the tickets and taking the money, or just taking money depending on the location on the road,” explained Toll Road Communications Director Matt Pierce.

Toll Road administrators say during the alleged robbery on Tuesday morning, the victim used skills he learned in training: don’t intervene, don’t resist, make sure you’re safe first then activate the alarms.

All the booths have voice and push button alarms that connect workers with state police.

Pierce says workers are encouraged to get a good description of the perpetrator before they push the alarm button.

But police can't go back and watch surveillance video of what happened during Tuesday morning’s robbery because there are no security cameras at the Notre Dame exit toll plaza.

Over the past 20 years, Toll Road administrators say they've had six robberies like the one that happened Tuesday. None of the workers WSBT talked to wanted to go on camera for fear of getting fired.

“The majority of the people that work the midnight shift are afraid of being alone at night," one worker told WSBT News. "They've run so many temps and part-timers through there, most people know our security system."

Toll Road Communication Director Matt Pierce told WSBT anyone can become complacent in their job. “You have to be aware of your surroundings and that's what we'll talk to them about over the next couple of days," he said.

Pierce said electronic tolling systems are being installed now. That will eliminate the number of workers at these booths during the overnight hours. He also said there will be cameras at all the booths by next spring, after the electronic tolling is up and running.

Police are still looking for the man they say robbed the toll booth on Tuesday.

Wednesday, Nov 21 at 10:47 AM Priscilla wrote ...

I have often wondered about their safety as I pull through during the night on my way home. They seem to be very isolated. I don't think I would want my family members working there. I pray that God is with them and keeps them safe.

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