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Amtrak commuters in Rhode Island and 12 other states and the District of Columbia may undergo random baggage inspections Wednesday as the passenger railroad and federal agencies conduct a security exercise.

The Transportation Security Administration, Amtrak police and law enforcement from other federal, state and local agencies will conduct random inspections at unannounced locations during Wednesday's morning and evening rush hours, Amtrak and the TSA said in a statement.

"The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness and communication capabilities of hundreds of police and security officials stationed in some of the busiest rail passenger areas along the Northeast Corridor," said Cliff Black, an Amtrak spokesman.

Amtrak doesn't usually require security screening of passengers or their luggage before trains are boarded. The security exercise is being conducted two days before the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

 Tags  Amtrak Transportation Security Administration

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