Dow ConstantineVerified account

Hashtags aren't going to do shit. If things are bad, then you should be hiring security officers to ride along those routes.

You're right, there's no way to tweet our way out of this problem. Nor can we rely on just enforcement or engineering (cameras). We're asking people - all riders - to report issues to their driver, or call police, or seek support with King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.

People in Seattle barely muster up the courage to talk to strangers, let alone speaking up in defense of someone being assaulted. It also makes you a target and can escalate. You pay full-time fare enforcement; why not invest in security for problem routes and stops, instead?

Did you happen to see the audit conducted on the fare enforcement for last year? Almost 2mil spent and no proof that it had any effect.

It's wasteful government spending at its finest; not at all uncommon to have three fare enforcement officers on a Rapid Ride during peak hours. They mostly play on their phones and block the doors. Meanwhile, we're supposed to be our own security by using a Hollywood hashtag.

Metro counted close to 200M trips last year. Security and enforcement at that volume can't be the only answer. This is a joint effort that requires participation from ALL parties.

I didn't say you should be hiring security for every trip and route. There are clearly dangerous stops, routes, and times that can be targeted. You should gather data from reports and act accordingly; but start with the obviously sketchy bus stops at Third and Pioneer Square.

You have data from drivers reporting incidents. Start with that and then augment it with user data. But don't give the riding public the excuse that Metro can't afford security when they pay 3+ people government wages to check ~$3 fares (at what, ~6 unpaid per trip?).