Quote:
Originally Posted by dizflip
TriMet has got to step up its security and marketing campaign. I've seen staff ride the train more often than not lately but that's obviously not enough. The crime train perception is strong here, unfortunately. And now you have the funding deficit that will make service even less reliable...
It's a damn shame how much momentum this region had for light rail 20 years ago, only to completely f*ck it all up.
|
I ride transit just about every day and the safety and security onboard trains and buses is MUCH improved over the worst days in 2022-2024. I'm not sure how TriMet can increase security any more than they already do and change public perception. They have about 5x the safety and security staffing as they did pre-pandemic. I see handfuls of safety and security staff everyday I use the system and now you can text TriMet security without using the push button and draw attention to yourself. I saw someone this morning that had a potential weapon on board and was damaging TriMet property with it. I sent a text message and two stops later, security took the man off the train. The problem is, there are probably dozens, maybe even hundreds, of similar demented individuals that are literally roaming around in between drug episodes with varying degrees of sanity and one moment away from causing harm to someone else. What happens to that guy after he's taken off the train and who's to stop him from boarding another train or bus at a different stop? This is the same issue keeping people away from downtown Portland.
The criminal justice system is failing with a lack of public defenders, so the jails won't keep anyone behind bars after they are booked. Until that's fixed, the security situation on our streets and on public transit, or at least the perception, will remain the same.
Threaded Mode