Seattle Times - Why Sound Transit doesn't use turnstiles at light-rail stations
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-ne ... -stations/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-ne ... -stations/
Every few years I coordinate a meeting of colleagues in St. Louis. I'm getting all their flights and other reservations coordinated to make an agenda. Some are coming in for the first time and haven't flown into STL before. It just struck me that this is the first time in 15+ years doing this that I'm not even suggesting Metro as an option. I just can't bring myself to do it with how foul and disgusting behavior has gotten on the trains, with almost no police or security oversight. That's pretty sad. We'll get by with Uber/Lyft, taxis, and maybe a shuttle.
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Yeah, I'm at the point where I don't recommend anyone use the MetroLink. I'm a daily rider, but it's just terrible. I've been a vocal advocate for public transit and I got rid of my car a couple years ago because I wanted to utilize public transit like I would in any other major city, but there is no defending Metro, at this point. They do NOT care about the safety of its passengers. They will only increase security after a high profile shooting, stabbing, or robbery. It's honestly laughable at this point.
I've taken the train home from Lambert a couple Sundays in a row around 7pm-8pm and it's just open season for people to do whatever they want. Two drunk old guys harassed a couple right next to the driver. The driver, of course, couldn't be bothered even though they were being loud. There was also a group of probably 12 kids yelling on the train constantly from North Hanley all the way to Union Station where I got off.
When I got off at Union Station, I had some kid try and run up on me. Not sure if he was trying to scare me or what, but he ended up tripping over himself and running away. Where was security? They were at a "tactical" position in their car at the top of the Union Station stairs..on their phone.
I've taken the train home from Lambert a couple Sundays in a row around 7pm-8pm and it's just open season for people to do whatever they want. Two drunk old guys harassed a couple right next to the driver. The driver, of course, couldn't be bothered even though they were being loud. There was also a group of probably 12 kids yelling on the train constantly from North Hanley all the way to Union Station where I got off.
When I got off at Union Station, I had some kid try and run up on me. Not sure if he was trying to scare me or what, but he ended up tripping over himself and running away. Where was security? They were at a "tactical" position in their car at the top of the Union Station stairs..on their phone.
I had a simliar experience the other night on a late-evening trip from the airport to downtown. I am honestly ashamed of our city when I board the train from the airport with visitors. It's just a free-for-all, open-air drug market and mental health ward on those trains, and no effective security in sight.
I wish Metro could at least reassign their security employees who congregate at the Stadium station during Cardinals games for an entire shift.
They're not preventing any crime, except for maybe a few fare evasions. But they'd have a much greater impact attempting to prevent/respond to actual crime throughout the system rather than just making Cardinals fans feel safe on what are already probably among the safest Metrolink runs.
I wish Metro could at least reassign their security employees who congregate at the Stadium station during Cardinals games for an entire shift.
They're not preventing any crime, except for maybe a few fare evasions. But they'd have a much greater impact attempting to prevent/respond to actual crime throughout the system rather than just making Cardinals fans feel safe on what are already probably among the safest Metrolink runs.
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True or propaganda?
More police, fewer crimes on MetroLink so far in 2018
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mor ... 8#stream/0
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
More police, fewer crimes on MetroLink so far in 2018
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mor ... 8#stream/0
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Violent crimes and thefts have decreased by 70 percent on MetroLink trains, stations and parking lots in St. Louis County compared to this time last year, according to St. Louis County Police Captain Scott Melies
How do you measure crime when you aren't present on the system? If a crime happens on Metro and no law enforcement is around to see it, does it make a sound/count as a crime?
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^ think about your post and think about it in context of any crime?
ok, good. so now you just realized that police aren't around to witness 99.9999999% of crime, its gets reported to them after that fact.
ok, good. so now you just realized that police aren't around to witness 99.9999999% of crime, its gets reported to them after that fact.
For the cited violent crimes, yes. For quality of life infractions and the overall lack of safety on the system, no way. Melies paints this rosy picture of police flooding the system with 60+ officers (yea, RIGHT) like in times past and restoring order, but those of us there to watch it every single day are just completely aghast at what a lie it is. NO ticket checks, NO enforcement AT ALL in the City, stolen crap being sold up and down the aisles, open smoking, drug deals. Oh, but fewer murders are being reported.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑May 01, 2018^ think about your post and think about it in context of any crime?
ok, good. so now you just realized that police aren't around to witness 99.9999999% of crime, its gets reported to them after that fact.
.crime has decreased about “10 — 12 percent” in 2018 throughout the system
Yea, and fewer people are riding it, too. I bet if nobody rides, crime will go to zero.
I've been a mass transit supporter for my entire adult life, and I have stopped recommending our transit system to anyone. Just can't do it.
http://www.kmov.com/story/38603668/trou ... for-change
They can massage the facts all they want, blame on irregular service, whatever. That is not what made me (and most people I know) stop riding the Metrolink. How is it possible that these people are in such a state of denial?
They can massage the facts all they want, blame on irregular service, whatever. That is not what made me (and most people I know) stop riding the Metrolink. How is it possible that these people are in such a state of denial?
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There was an attempted snatch and grab this morning on the train at Union Station. I was getting ready to get on and thankfully was able to grab the purse from the kid (the security guard that saw him said he looked 16-18) and give it back to the near victim. This kind of sh*t happening during morning rush hour is going to kill the Metrolink.
^
Yikes. I was wondering why our train was at the station so long. I saw the kid running past the security guard, who made no attempt to stop him.
I get that this might be a complex issue but I just don't understand why Metro is contracted with these third party security companies that do nothing besides standing around. I understand that it is written in the charter that Metro is not allowed to have it's own police force, but why waste money on people who rarely check your fare and stand around doing nothing? Obviously there are some decent security guards that try and make a difference, but they seem to be in the minority.
It's just so frustrating.
Yikes. I was wondering why our train was at the station so long. I saw the kid running past the security guard, who made no attempt to stop him.
I get that this might be a complex issue but I just don't understand why Metro is contracted with these third party security companies that do nothing besides standing around. I understand that it is written in the charter that Metro is not allowed to have it's own police force, but why waste money on people who rarely check your fare and stand around doing nothing? Obviously there are some decent security guards that try and make a difference, but they seem to be in the minority.
It's just so frustrating.
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F*ck off, KMOV.The system is subsidized with tax dollars.
That’s one of the reasons News 4 will keep watching out for your money and keep tracking the system.
You'd think actually riding Metrolink would be part of the job description of their employees.
Every single time I use the Delmar station in the evening it's totally obvious that it's badly in need of security. The same can be said of Forest Park station.
If higher ups can't see that, I find it hard to believe they've even ridden the Metrolink on any kind of regular basis.
Every single time I use the Delmar station in the evening it's totally obvious that it's badly in need of security. The same can be said of Forest Park station.
If higher ups can't see that, I find it hard to believe they've even ridden the Metrolink on any kind of regular basis.
^ Effectively there is zero security on MetroLink. There is a little bit of security theater and a mediocre attempt at thwarting fare evasion, but 90% of the STL County commissioned police officers that are supposed to be monitoring MetroLink are driving around in $75,000 SUVs and not walking a beat on the platforms or riding trains.
Just to keep things in perspective; there have been three murders recently at subway stations in San Francisco.
I spoke with a Metro Officer last night. We started with small talk but it quickly turned more controversial and he gave me some insight. Note: He was sitting in his car, probably 100 feet away from the platform entrance.
He mentioned that the new Metro Police Officers (blue shirts, red patches) are not necessarily welcome in St. Louis County because of bad blood between the police chief, county executive, and Bi-State. They said that the war was started long ago, but it peaked when the post released the news about county officers sitting and stealing from tax payers.
Regarding the City, they don't have enough officers to contribute to the Metro Police collaborative. He mentioned that the city is at least 200 officers short and that they can't get people to apply for the job. The new sales tax money is there, just no one to pay.
We both agreed that fare evasion isn't the biggest problem and the capital cost of turnstiles wouldn't be enough to stop the drug trade and guns that work their way onto the system.
He is more optimistic now that Jessica Medford-Miller is in a leadership role. Jessica is more approachable and he believes a new face will reset some of the tension. He also hinted that a county executive reset wouldn't hurt either.
His recommendation:
Push much much harder at the federal level to create a deputized Metro Police Force. Probably need 100 dedicated officers (At least $10 million annually just in salary/benefits). This would remove much of the bureaucracy between St. Louis County and City. He also mentioned that a deputized Metro Police Force would be a good way to ease people into a career in police work.
I spoke with him about my concerns about a system surrounded by police, especially for people of color. But I agreed, that a SMALL deputized police force would be a great first step. I also mentioned that I felt like the officers needed to have faith in Metro and public transit and that it was worth protecting which isn't something I see now.
He mentioned that the new Metro Police Officers (blue shirts, red patches) are not necessarily welcome in St. Louis County because of bad blood between the police chief, county executive, and Bi-State. They said that the war was started long ago, but it peaked when the post released the news about county officers sitting and stealing from tax payers.
Regarding the City, they don't have enough officers to contribute to the Metro Police collaborative. He mentioned that the city is at least 200 officers short and that they can't get people to apply for the job. The new sales tax money is there, just no one to pay.
We both agreed that fare evasion isn't the biggest problem and the capital cost of turnstiles wouldn't be enough to stop the drug trade and guns that work their way onto the system.
He is more optimistic now that Jessica Medford-Miller is in a leadership role. Jessica is more approachable and he believes a new face will reset some of the tension. He also hinted that a county executive reset wouldn't hurt either.
His recommendation:
Push much much harder at the federal level to create a deputized Metro Police Force. Probably need 100 dedicated officers (At least $10 million annually just in salary/benefits). This would remove much of the bureaucracy between St. Louis County and City. He also mentioned that a deputized Metro Police Force would be a good way to ease people into a career in police work.
I spoke with him about my concerns about a system surrounded by police, especially for people of color. But I agreed, that a SMALL deputized police force would be a great first step. I also mentioned that I felt like the officers needed to have faith in Metro and public transit and that it was worth protecting which isn't something I see now.
Call me crazy, but I'd like to see a LARGE deputized police force. The more visible the better.
addxb2 wrote: ↑Aug 01, 2018I spoke with a Metro Officer last night. We started with small talk but it quickly turned more controversial and he gave me some insight. Note: He was sitting in his car, probably 100 feet away from the platform entrance.
He mentioned that the new Metro Police Officers (blue shirts, red patches) are not necessarily welcome in St. Louis County because of bad blood between the police chief, county executive, and Bi-State. They said that the war was started long ago, but it peaked when the post released the news about county officers sitting and stealing from tax payers.
Regarding the City, they don't have enough officers to contribute to the Metro Police collaborative. He mentioned that the city is at least 200 officers short and that they can't get people to apply for the job. The new sales tax money is there, just no one to pay.
We both agreed that fare evasion isn't the biggest problem and the capital cost of turnstiles wouldn't be enough to stop the drug trade and guns that work their way onto the system.
He is more optimistic now that Jessica Medford-Miller is in a leadership role. Jessica is more approachable and he believes a new face will reset some of the tension. He also hinted that a county executive reset wouldn't hurt either.
His recommendation:
Push much much harder at the federal level to create a deputized Metro Police Force. Probably need 100 dedicated officers (At least $10 million annually just in salary/benefits). This would remove much of the bureaucracy between St. Louis County and City. He also mentioned that a deputized Metro Police Force would be a good way to ease people into a career in police work.
I spoke with him about my concerns about a system surrounded by police, especially for people of color. But I agreed, that a SMALL deputized police force would be a great first step. I also mentioned that I felt like the officers needed to have faith in Metro and public transit and that it was worth protecting which isn't something I see now.
No surprise that a Metro PSO wants to be a police officer and paid like a police officer. Remember at least several PSOs are washouts from smaller municipal departments. Odds are good you were talking to one of them.
I don't trust County PD with the current power structure, and the City has never adequately contributed to patrolling transit, but I sure as HELL don't trust Metro and its ragtag group of wannabe police officers, either.
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I believe it was the greater Bay area and not just SF. Plus not really a representative sample but more a statistical anomoly. Total homicides per year for SF are much lower than STL and population I believe around 100K+ larger IIRC.framer wrote: Just to keep things in perspective; there have been three murders recently at subway stations in San Francisco.
Found this article interesting by the BND. Was interesting to see it written by a metro east paper.
The Metro isn’t as dangerous as you think, investigation finds
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article210317754.html
The Metro isn’t as dangerous as you think, investigation finds
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article210317754.html
The Guardian - 'Addicts, crooks, thieves': the campaign to kill Baltimore's light rail
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018 ... light-rail"Looking at his rap sheet or whatever, he was from Baltimore city," Kim said of the intruder. “He missed the light rail and had to find a place to stay, and he chose to climb our fence.”
The Anne Arundel county police confirmed the details of the Hahns' report, but with two important discrepancies: there was nothing to link the suspect with the light rail and he wasn’t from Baltimore – he was local.
He hadn't missed the light rail back to the city that night. He was from Anne Arundel county, just like the Hahns.
I obviously appreciate the BND of all papers pointing out that MetroLink crime is far below the rate of traffic deaths, however road deaths per 100k and violent crimes per 100k boardings are far too different to compare to each other the way they did. Using station boarding numbers, it wouldn't have been terribly hard to come up with an estimate of daily MetroLink users in the ME. Sure, the violent crime numbers would be higher per average daily users but it would still be below the road death numbers.jshank83 wrote: ↑Aug 21, 2018Found this article interesting by the BND. Was interesting to see it written by a metro east paper.
The Metro isn’t as dangerous as you think, investigation finds
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article210317754.html
They also make some odd statements such as "it's impossible to count un-ticketed passengers."
1) It's not impossible, there are passenger counters on the KC Streetcar at the doors. MetroLink just doesn't have something similar.
2) I'm 90% sure passenger numbers are counted by people physically standing on the train and counting. If they counted by tickets, they'd have no way of counting those with 30 Day passes, Student passes, whether a Transfer was used on a bus, train, or not at all, etc.
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Wasn't this the county police's fault anyway? You did say it goes back further than this, but why would the county exec be mad at the city for Post journalists doing their jobs? I am intrigued though - any background info on the history of this "bad blood"?addxb2 wrote: ↑Aug 01, 2018I spoke with a Metro Officer last night. We started with small talk but it quickly turned more controversial and he gave me some insight. Note: He was sitting in his car, probably 100 feet away from the platform entrance.
He mentioned that the new Metro Police Officers (blue shirts, red patches) are not necessarily welcome in St. Louis County because of bad blood between the police chief, county executive, and Bi-State. They said that the war was started long ago, but it peaked when the post released the news about county officers sitting and stealing from tax payers.
Stltoday - More security coming to three MetroLink stations for a month as part of pilot program
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/cri ... 304cd.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/cri ... 304cd.html
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Bi-state was at the FP-D station this morning handing out flyers for the change. I am interested to see what they are going to do with the station considering there is usually somebody at the entrance checking tickets already