The platforms at the Decatur MARTA station. Source: Wikimedia Commons

If you see a swarm of police officers at the Decatur MARTA station on Saturday, Nov. 5, do not be alarmed.

MARTA is conducting a training exercise.

The exercise, dubbed Operation Deep Impact, will begin at 11:30 p.m. and end at 3 a.m., Nov. 6. It will also disrupt MARTA service for the evening.

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“MARTA will be single-tracking at the Decatur Station from 11:30 p.m., with rail service ending at midnight,” a press release from MARTA says. “Bus service will continue at the Decatur bus loop for the entire evening. A bus bridge will start between East Lake and Avondale from 11:30 p.m. until end of revenue service to accommodate for the closed rail lines at Decatur.”

The press release adds, “This training exercise provides the opportunity for MPD, MARTA staff and other emergency response agencies to address potential incidents, such as terrorist attacks, pandemics or natural disasters, in a real-life setting.”

Decatur Police Lt. Jennifer Ross said residents unaware of the exercise might be concerned by what they see.

“Residents may hear some unusual noises and notice police, fire and EMS personnel in and around the station during the training,” she said.

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