Scofflaws who fail to buy a ticket and ride an RTD light-rail train illegally should avoid bad-hair days and be ready to smile for the camera.

That’s because when they are caught, they should expect to be photographed.

Regional Transportation District security officers and fare inspectors have been photographing people who are cited — or issued a warning — for fare violations.

The new measure has been ongoing since late 2011, and RTD officials hope the added step will help drive down the number of fare-beaters, especially repeat offenders.

“One of the benefits is that we’re able to track, on different levels, the identity of individuals who have received a warning or a citation,” said Scott Reed, an RTD spokesman.

RTD security officers have pursued and tracked fare-beaters in the past, but recording and filing information was cumbersome and included using a radio system to communicate between agents in the field and staff in an office.

Now, a new system allows security personnel to keep data on a Motorola hand-held device — known as an Enterprise Digital Assistant — that is a bit larger than a smartphone. The device, which costs about $3,800 with accessories, also takes photos.

“This device dramatically speeds up the fare-checking process,” Reed said.

On a sunny Thursday afternoon, Aaron Pratt, a security officer with G4S, patrolled a light-rail line asking for tickets, looking for riders who hadn’t paid the fare. In one hour, Pratt wrote and recorded four warnings, taking four photographs in the process.

Kelly Dugan, 22, was among the four. Dugan said she typically rides the bus and doesn’t ride light rail.

As Pratt photographed Dugan, he asked her to smile.

“I don’t mind — it’s OK with me,” Dugan said when asked about being photographed.

Michael Romero, 57, of Grand Junction was also issued a warning. The out-of-towner was a bit lost and confused, riding the light rail trying to get to the Pepsi Center to attend the state high school wrestling tournament.

Someone told Romero to take the train “so I wouldn’t have to pay for parking” at the Pepsi Center, he said.

Romero said he didn’t realize users pay.

“I’m mad,” Romero said after the warning and photo. “I didn’t know what’s going on.”

In 2011, RTD asked 1.3 million riders to show proof of a valid fare. About 26,000 warnings on fare violations were handed out, and 6,500 citations were issued. In 2010, about 30,000 warnings and 7,200 citations were issued.

First offenders are issued warnings, Reed said. A repeat violation results in a citation with a $50 fine; a second citation is a $100 fine. The violations are Class 2 petty offenses.

People with multiple citations are banned from RTD property.

Some daily light-rail riders view the photography as Orwellian.

“I guess it seems a little bit like Big Brother,” said Jason Morden, a Metropolitan State College of Denver student. “Repeat offenders should be documented, but I think the photo is a little overboard.”

Pratt said most people take the photos in stride.

“I usually tell them, ‘It’s no big deal,’ and ask them to smile,” Pratt said. “I try to calm people down.”

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com