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New railing around the Gresham Central MAX light-rail station is intended to keep out people who have not paid fare to ride, transit agency TriMet announced on Tuesday.

The 405 feet of 48-inch barrier railing will turn the platform into a fare zone with two sets of entrances and exits. Anyone standing on the platform will now have to pay the fare to ride the MAX before walking into the enclosed area.

The stop was the site of an attack in 2007 in which a 15-year-old gang member, known to police, attacked 73-year-old Laurie Chilcote with a baseball bat. The event was widely publicized and Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis wanted to increase security at the stop.

“It will certainly create a better sense of safety and security,” said Mary Fetsch, spokeswoman for TriMet. “This will also allow for (TriMet officials and police) to interact with people before they are on the MAX.”

Fetsch said in addition to the railing, additional lighting will be added to the area. Since the attack, Fetsch said, the number of police officers and fare inspectors were doubled. Fetsch said 12 incidents were reported in 2007, five incidents in 2008 and one in 2009.