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notnobodyspecial OP t1_j44v85p wrote

Reply to comment by Scumandvillany in What happened to the private SEPTA guards? by notnobodyspecial

I don't think that's the only thing that would work and it definitely won't work unless the city treats this as a wider problem. Your suggestion just pushes these people into other corners of the city to terrorize. I'd much rather our city/country actually tackle the homeless/drug problem head on. With Kensington being the epicenter of the county's war on drugs, with people from all different states flocking here, this should be declared a federal emergency with funds to match.

And in the near term, the city should invest its current budget surplus in getting transit cops at the busiest stations / riding the trains. Deal with abusers in real time - If you're suggesting the police not allow people to use transit before they actually commit a crime/act unruly, I'm not a fan. I don't want a police state.

There also needs to be more personal responsibility and respect for the city. Littering on and off transit is out of control, but that starts with having adequate trash cans and with people taking pride in the city and just being decent. I don't know the best way to change this.

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Scumandvillany t1_j467viu wrote

I'm suggesting not letting people ride who are not riders and don't pay 2.50 to get on the system. Pretty simple. The transit system is not and should not be used as temp housing, an asylum, a toilet, an injection site, and a smoking room. Then I'm saying that if people are breaking rules actively, like smoking, pushing carts, panhandling, sleeping, using drugs, tenting up, they should be removed without citation or criminal charge.

Of course we have systemic issues that need to be dealt with. I'm not sure if declaring an "emergency" will do that, but if it brings resources and is followed by political action then sure, fine.

We clearly need a program like MANDATORY SHELTER AND TREATMENT, which is the obvious answer to a lot of issues.

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d-scan t1_j4cgcjd wrote

When I was in Paris they had teams of ticket gestapo, ahem, police, who would go to each passenger and ask to see their ticket. And if you don't have your ticket, they would issue a fine and pull out a card payment device. Honestly, I could not see SEPTA or the city going to such efficient lengths to deter the riff raff. But ANY kind of effort of enforcement would be better than what we have to put up with currently.

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scatterbrainedpast t1_j4giho9 wrote

All the federal funds would be given to useless, corrupt NGO's who all happen to be run by friends and family embers of CC members

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