Trimet (MAX) safety or lack thereof by Larry Norton

Trimet (MAX) safety or lack thereof

Posted by Larry Norton, community blogger February 26, 2008 14:19PM

Categories: Crime

I ignored everyone in the world for the last 5 days to spend time with my California son. But, I could not ignore the individual on the Red Train to the airport Monday. An individual determined to pick on me as the main target.

This occurred about 7:15 in the morning going east from Old Town. By all appearances, the person was under the influence of something. The train was not empty. Many looked like commuters not just those going to the airport.

Although there was an assault - a threat of violence, there was no battery - no touching. Fortunately, I was protected enough by my son, and it turns out, by an unnoticed Trimet security guard. But, I have concerns.

It had been clear to me since we boarded the train that something was wrong with this person. The security guard did come forward after the assault, but only after my son started to take action. The guard had been watching from the front of the car.

But - the guard did not exclude and did not arrest. He did corner the person who proceeded to hurl epithets at him. The person stayed on for two more stops. After the person left the train, the guard apologized that the incident had occurred.

Without my son's presence - old enough and big enough to protect me - what would have happened? Would the security guard have intervened quickly enough?

Why didn't the security guard exclude the offender from the train? Why didn't the guard arrest?

I don't know - but I am guessing that the security person like the private security supplementing the Portland police - have virtually no powers. If so - what good are they except for show?

I'll take show, but I would have felt better knowing the person had been arrested or excluded from the Trimet system. I had to come back.

by spokeninsanskrit

Trimet is the public transportation system here in Portland. I've been riding the bus & max (max=light rail) to work since last August and for the most part I really like it. It's certainly done wonders for my reading. But there are frustrating parts about it and a few weeks ago I had the worst experience. Here's the email I sent to trimet: To whom it may concern, I'm pretty frustrated. The max ticketing machines at 2nd and Taylor eastbound often don't function. Today the machine ate a 5 dollar bill from me. I had to go to the ATM to get another 5 dollars only to find out that the other machine wasn't accepting bills either. I ended up not paying the fare (or paying 5 dollars depending on how you look at it) to the 42nd ave transit center. I did an errand and then waited at the bus stop going north on 42nd just past Sandy (75 line) where I waited 15 min past the bus due time only to have the bus drive right by and not pick me up! It was right under the streetlight so the driver must have seen me. I would at least like my 3.25 back. Here's the response I got back: You need to call 503-962-2444 and speak to a customer service rep. They will fill out a claim form for you that goes to finance for a refund. Thanks a lot.