Vandalism and vagrancy have recently plagued the Rocky Mount Train Station, and the city is taking steps to address both issues.

Police have stepped up patrols of the area and are being more strict with loiterers, many of whom are homeless.

"(Patrolling) has increased dramatically in the last three or four weeks," said Rocky Mount police Chief John Manley.

The city is also installing panic doors on the streetside entrances to direct nighttime visitors at the 24-hour station to the railroad track-side entrance and repairing three broken security cameras.

For the past year, gang graffiti has continually been sprayed in the men's restroom at the station, said Assistant City Manager Peter Varney. The historic train station, renovated and reopened in September 2000, did not have problems with gang vandalism prior to a year ago, he said.

The city's draft budget for 2006-07 included $25,000 for a private security service to patrol the station at least on third shift. But the money was cut from the budget to make room for new initiatives proposed by the City Council.

The panic doors will allow the ticket agent to monitor all incoming traffic into the train station, which may deter some people from entering, Varney said.

Increased police patrols will also probably reduce the criminal activity in the parking lot, Varney said, where a rash of automobile break-ins has occurred in the past couple of months.

Both Manley and Varney said they don't think the Train Station is becoming dangerous. Most of the crime there is aimed at property, not at people, Varney said.

"It's a safe place," Manley said.