Metro's security track record does not inspire confidence
Last week KHOU-11 discovered that not all residents around Metro's proposed Grand Central Station think a bus station in their neighborhood is a good idea. In fact, they are worried about an undesirable element moving in:
It's not far from Maria Nieto's new restaurant. She'd love to cook up new business but said she questions the kinds of customers a bus station might bring.
In Spanish, she said she doesn't like the idea, and she's not alone. 11 News received many calls from residents in this northside area, suspicious of a new bus station near their homes.
"There's a few bad people running already as it is," Nieto said.
Respondeth Metro:
"I think this will be a tremendous amenity for that part of the city which needs a little bit of revitalization and more job formation," said David Wulfe with Metro.
(I think KHOU meant David Wolff)
Is Mr. Wolff/Wulfe going to live in that area to walk his talk? Yeah, right.
Now, why in the world would anyone be fearful of the element that hangs around bus stations? Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because of Metro's track record. Metro got rid of security officers at Park and Rides, otherwise known as Park and Pillages, then promised security cameras would be installed, then admitted the few security cameras it had weren't working. Oh, but Metro Police Chief Tom Lambert did form a task force and asked CrimeStoppers to put up some signs.
Then there was the woman who was raped at a Metro bus stop. Metro's response? Riders with a concealed carry permit can start packin' heat!
And then last Friday, there was another Park and Pillage spree. KTRK-13 has the details:
METRO police are looking for the thieves who broke into nearly two dozen cars. It happened Friday afternoon at the park and ride in Spring off FM 1960 and Carlsway Road.
Thieves stole radios, broke windows and slashed tires. In all they hit 22 cars. Along with causing a lot of damage, they've left many METRO riders questioning park and ride security.
They can ask all they want. Metro's answer will be the same: Metro's not responsible for the cars parked in Park and Ride lots, and if anyone sees anything suspicious, they should call CrimeStoppers.
It's a call to action for METRO from a customer. Concerns may force him to trade in his bus pass and get back behind the wheel.
METRO did have personnel in the Spring parking lot much of the day on Friday. But they think thieves hit the lot after the METRO employees left in the early afternoon.
Well, sure. If a thief knows that Metro employees won't be staying at a Park and Ride lot all day, the thief will be patient. What else does he have to do?
Until Metro gets serious about security at ALL of its transit offerings (and not just an elite counterterror unit consisting of 20 officers), then residents have good reason to fear the bad people who will be drawn to a bus station. Metro's security track record is woefully lacking.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/02/06 07:43 AM | Print |
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