D.C. Council votes to decriminalize Metro fare evasion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

if I snuck into a movie theater would I get a ticket?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

if I snuck into a movie theater would I get a ticket?

Yes, double the ticket. Why was it ever a crime? Not everything is a crime unless you live in a country where private companies make money on convicted people.
Gross.

[Anonymous]

The pillory and stocks, and perhaps a good flogging for repeat offenders, would damp down fare theft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

It is. People who use one form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (paid parking, toll road violations, inspection and registration) get a ticket; people using another form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (fare evasion), go to jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Proponents of the change say the current policies are too harsh, have negative side effects, and disproportionately impact people of color.
Critics say the transit system fails to capture millions of dollars a year due to fare evasion, and arrests for it are much rarer than citations.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2018/11/14/dc-council-votes-decriminalize-metro-fare-evasion/?utm_term=.0ed8e6db35db

What say ye?

Duh. Look at the statistics about which demographic is disproportionately the offenders in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

speeding is not usually a crime unless it is reckless driving and parking tickets are never crimes. Theft is a crime

[Anonymous]

I guess it's good that a ~$2 theft is a civil infraction not criminal but it worries me that this tells young people that it's okay to steal from the government. Theft is wrong no matter who you're stealing from and I do worry about the example this sets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess it's good that a ~$2 theft is a civil infraction not criminal but it worries me that this tells young people that it's okay to steal from the government. Theft is wrong no matter who you're stealing from and I do worry about the example this sets.

It also sends a signal to Metro police that fare theft is not en enforcement priority, which in turn will lead to more fare theft. When you consider that Metro has backed off on enforcement of quality of life offenses, is it any wonder that Metro trains and stations are noticeably dirtier than before, there are more track fires, and panhandling — which was almost unheard of in the Metro system — has become more common.

[Anonymous]

I dare anyone to hang out at a metro station that's near a DCPS high school right after school gets out and say this is a good idea. DCPS kids ride for free and many of them still just waltz through the handicap gate. The station manager does nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

It is. People who use one form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (paid parking, toll road violations, inspection and registration) get a ticket; people using another form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (fare evasion), go to jail.

If I don't pay my parking tickets, I can re-register my car. What leverage does DC have to get a 16 year old to pay her fare evasion ticket?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

It is. People who use one form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (paid parking, toll road violations, inspection and registration) get a ticket; people using another form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (fare evasion), go to jail.

If I don't pay my parking tickets, I can re-register my car. What leverage does DC have to get a 16 year old to pay her fare evasion ticket?

"can't" -- I meant "can't"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Decriminalization means that metro fare evasion results in a fine, not arrest or jail time. No different than getting a ticket for speeding or parking in the wrong place.

Good point

It is. People who use one form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (paid parking, toll road violations, inspection and registration) get a ticket; people using another form of transportation and break the laws monetizing that right (fare evasion), go to jail.

If I don't pay my parking tickets, I can re-register my car. What leverage does DC have to get a 16 year old to pay her fare evasion ticket?

The pillory, stocks and a public thrashing might work, but the DC council surely doesn’t have the fortitude for that.