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“The MAX has been a living nightmare for us” |
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“The MAX has been a living nightmare for us” |
| After listening to testimonials of theft, vandalism, beatings and intimidation, [East Precinct's Sgt. Kim] Preston said there's little likelihood police will increase patrols in the area any ime soon. "The MAX has been a living nightmare for us," Preston said. "I would not ride it at night -- and I'm armed all the time. There are massive fights, guns displayed, stabbings, people eing threatened and bullied." (Oregonian, Thursday, September 20, 2007) |
| MAX’s crime problems started when the first line opened. Trimet
has never really addressed the problem. The only difference this time is that they are trying to build two new lines and the publicity is endangering that plan. If the new lines are approved, they may go back to ignoring crime. |
A few of the many MAX crime stories from the Oregonian: July 8, 1988, Tri-Met has hired private security guards to ride buses and light-rail trains on Friday and Saturday nights, June 24, 1988, Tri-Met announced Thursday its plans to spend $620,000 in the coming year to improve security measures. November 12, 1988, GOVERNOR DIRECTS STATE POLICE TO RIDE TRI-MET December 3, 1988, RIDERS, EMPLOYEES FEEL THREATENED May 17, 1999, ROCKWOOD GROUP PROPOSES CITIZEN PATROL TO REDUCE LIGHT-RAIL PROBLEMS June 5, 2001, POLICE WILL LEAVE CARS TO PATROL IN HILLSBORO The increased patrols are in response to residents' requests for improved policing along the light-rail line. .... The change marks the first time the Hillsboro department has dedicated officers to the MAX line..... Officers will focus on the high-density housing packed along the MAX line because of its transient population. February 10, 2003, DEALERS MOVE DRUGS ON MAX October 3, 2004 Some officers are so concerned they won't let their families ride light rail alone December 23, 2004, scratch the surface in curbside conversations and you'll hear familiar complaints about crime, the glut of apartments and the closing of the Rockwood Fred Meyer store. The degrading effect of the MAX lightrail line that follows Burnside Road through the center of the precinct..."It's getting worse," said Reynolds' neighbor Mike Pursley, who has lived in Rockwood for 17 years....” September 29, 2005, After all, in 20 years, Rockwood has deteriorated from a modest but respectable middle-class neighborhood to an area struggling with poverty and crime September 21, 2006, Group pushes safety to the MAX on 82nd "We've had teenagers who haven't been able to go down the stairs because someone there with a pit bull makes them pay a fee to go down."
Teens in custody after
fight breaks out on MAX train (Jun 5, 2008)
some links courtesy www.ortem.org/history/ |
