Steven Taubenkibel, spokesperson for Metro’s Transit Police Department, said officers are also conducting a crime prevention and awareness campaign to inform riders on ways to stay safe.

‘‘The next several weeks, our officers will be out [along Metro routes] trying to raise crime awareness,” Taubenkibel said. ‘‘We are involved and we want the public to be aware of ways they can protect themselves.”

The changes come as Metro is experiencing an increased number of robberies, Taubenkibel said. Robberies rose nearly 20 percent last year, up from 352 cases in 2006 to 414 in 2007. Taubenkibel also said tighter security is important to protect the 931,000 people who ride Metro everyday.

Hospitalman Neisha Haimanchandra, a corpsman in Bethesda’s Immunizations Clinic said she was aware of the crime issue, but still elected to use the Metro for transportation. She said she takes precautions when riding the Metro alone.

‘‘I’m fine riding the [train] or the bus because [crime]hasn’t bothered me personally,” Haimanchandra said. ‘‘I don’t fall asleep and, when I get off the escalators at the station, I always keep my eyes open for strangers.”

Hospitalman Jasmine Gray, an optician in Bethesda’s Optometry Clinic, said more needs to be done to protect Metro riders despite the increase of police patrols. She said she only rides Metro when necessary because she doesn’t feel safe at some of the Metro stops.

‘‘The police need to have actual officers and not just security guards. Most young people don’t take them seriously and they definitely need more cameras,” Gray said. ‘‘I grew up around here and I use to ride all the time, but now I won’t unless I’m with a group. It’s just not safe.”

Hospitalman Robert Osborne, a corpsman in Bethesda’s Internal Medicine Blue Clinic, said he’s heard of media reports of increased crime, but didn’t think it was too much of a problem. He liked D.C.’s mass transit system better than other metropolitan cities’ subway and bus systems.

‘‘I didn’t know about the crime issue. I ride the train for transportation, but I have never been bothered by anyone,” Osborne said. ‘‘I’ve lived in cities where the [mass transit system] has been a lot worse. These trains are clean, on time and they have heat. I feel perfectly fine.”

Taubenkibel said many passengers become disengaged from their surroundings through the use of mp3 players, BlackBerries and cell phones. He said in 2007, 58 portable music devices were stolen. Taubenkibel also said there are a number of ways riders can protect themselves when riding on Metro routes.

‘‘Customers who have these items out make themselves easy targets. They need to be less conspicuous,” Taubenkibel said. ‘‘People should consider black headphones instead of white. Those who have BlackBerries should keep them in their holsters, not having items out makes you less likely to become a victim.”

Osborne said he keeps his mp3 player’s volume low, so he can hear what’s going on around him. Osborne said he also carries money in more than one pocket and never carries his wallet in his back pocket.

‘‘If people would just use common street smarts, they would be ok,” Osborne said. ‘‘Knowing what you should have on you and what you shouldn’t is very important. If you are smart, you would take the time to hide what you don’t want stolen.”

Metro Police are including Metro Park and ride lots into the campaign to end crime. Patrons need to be reminded Metro parking lots don’t include security cameras, which can create more opportunities for robberies and assaults to occur.

‘‘Nine times out of 10, someone is not going to bother you if there are a lot of people around,” Gray said.

Taubenkibel said Metro lacks funding to install security cameras on trains and in parking lots. Haimanchandra said a larger police presence will help offset the lack of cameras.

‘‘Seeing more police around actually reminds me to be more aware of my surroundings,” Haimanchandra said. ‘‘They really need to be inside the station or on the trains themselves to stop crime.”

Metro Police created a special robbery unit to help increase enforcement, safety and awareness. Taubenkibel said the unit specifically addresses thefts and assaults. He said it has been very helpful in dealing with victims of crime.

‘‘Our unit follows up on cases of theft and other areas [of crime],” Taubenkibel said. ‘‘[The unit] has led to several arrests since we put it in place.”