Hillsboro Argus / Oregonian Blog Entry on today’s Transit Safety Summit


Menacing behavior and disorderly conduct are more persistent public safety concerns on the region’s light rail system than the threat of violence on board, Gresham leaders and Portland police officials told the TriMet transit agency Thursday.

But there are too few police officers on the light rail system to deter or interrupt threatening behavior that make families feel unsafe riding the system, Gresham Chief Carla Piluso said. “Those quality of life crimes that are keeping people off the trains,” Piluso said.

“We’ve had a steep increase in complaints about that in the last 18 months.”

Discuss.
The first of two safety summits was held today — the Hillsboro Argus reports: “Quality of life crimes” keep riders off MAX, police say

Excerpt:

Menacing behavior and disorderly conduct are more persistent public safety concerns on the region’s light rail system than the threat of violence on board, Gresham leaders and Portland police officials told the TriMet transit agency Thursday.

But there are too few police officers on the light rail system to deter or interrupt threatening behavior that make families feel unsafe riding the system, Gresham Chief Carla Piluso said. “Those quality of life crimes that are keeping people off the trains,” Piluso said.

“We’ve had a steep increase in complaints about that in the last 18 months.”

Discuss.


6 responses to “Hillsboro Argus / Oregonian Blog Entry on today’s Transit Safety Summit”

  1. This sounds plausible. The crime statistics don’t support the idea that MAX is actually a dangerous place to be, but disorderly conduct and “menacing” aren’t going to show up in most statistics. People get the impression they aren’t safe.

    But I wonder if we really need police on MAX, or if more uniformed Tri-Met fare inspectors would be sufficient to help people feel safer.

  2. It seems like the most common trouble on the MAX is just a bunch of loud/cursing teens making an otherwise peaceful ride miserable for everybody. I actually called up TriMet recently to ask if they could suggest anything to do in such a situation, and I was advised to hop on the other car at the next stop and let the driver know over the intercom. Depending on the situation, the driver could make an announcement, alert personnel at an upcoming platform, stop the train, whatever. I hadn’t thought of getting on the other car to use the intercom — that way you don’t have to do it right in front of the people causing trouble or confront them directly. It also gives people peace of mind to see that when there’s trouble, the driver will take care of it. Perhaps there should be one of those placards above the windows giving people this tip on a practical measure to take when there’s a situation on board. The more people know about it, the fewer incidents there will be. This seems like an easy and very cost-effective way to resolve a lot of the problems that are making headlines lately.

  3. Of course the certain way to avoid TriMet’s criminals is to not use Trimet.

    You will also be saving money because MAX costs far more than driving when you consider actual costs, not just the fare which is only 1/5 of the actual cost. See PortlandFacts.com

    Thanks
    JK

  4. JK: Of course the certain way to avoid TriMet’s criminals is to not use Trimet.

    Which gives us the likely alternative of driving, which kills 40-46,000 Americans every year. I haven’t done the math, but it could be that the only way to avoid the risk entirely is to hunker down in a bomb shelter somewhere. Or, we could do what most of us do, which is choose the option most agreeable to us, and do what we can to address or avoid life’s many risks. I choose to walk and ride Trimet. Karlock chooses to drive (in between spewing propaganda on anyone who will listen). Move on.

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