Hush on skin tone. Got it. Red Line attack-take 3

[Anonymous]

http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:As a military family, the idea that the military itself--funding cut, fighting with one hand behind its back--should now babysit petty criminals is laughable to me. On the other hand, I do think our inner cities resemble war zones and we could absolutely have a military/civilian solution in a place like Chicago or Baltimore: send in a "surge" of National Guard (we can't send in the military due to posse comitatus unless we change our laws) to deal with the Isis like thugs who shoot children in alleys, and then a 50 year Marshall plan. Top-down. Tell people who choose to live there exactly what to do. I think the law abiding and productive would be grateful.

Who said anything about enlisting murderers?

Well, this started as a response to "What should be done about violent youths like the ones that attacked this poor man on the Red Line?"

That was pretty much attempted murder, and those are not the kinds of individuals you want to hand a gun and turn loose on civilian populations in troubled parts of the world.

Yes but the conversation has evolved.Rather than jump to the extreme end of things, let's try to be rational here. Anyone who participates in a brutal beating such as this deserves jail, not military enlistment.

Underage children punishment is a revolving door in DC. There needs to be reform and much more serious rehab. the problem is, they don't even know if they caught the kids? How can you punish them? These mobs are learning they can operate with impunity. Metro policing and coordination is chaos. You are taking your life in your hands if you choose to ride it or the buses. The people who suffer most are the hardworking folks who are forced to use it to get to work.

I am for CCTVs everywhere, checkpoints, and roving youth police (like the truancy van I saw in Tenleytown), and reform/transparency to youth punishment.

I agree, which is why military is the answer. Too young for enlistment? Military boarding school until 18 with a heavy influence on education and community service. At graduation, automatic military enrollment. These kids should NOT be allowed to reenter society without at least 4-5 years of behavior correction. Right now, this "correction" is happening in our jail system and it is NOT effective.

The ONLY thing that will get through to these kids is swift and permanent consequences. They don't care about getting arrested or sent to juvenile detention (it's bragging rights for many). They don't care about school or education. They don't care if their actions will have consequences for their parents. Mainly, because the punishments are abstract and easily bendable. We need to rectify this and show them we mean business.

I just think this is a disservice and misunderstanding of the military. I have no problem with a military like reform program (you mention military school) and once the kids have rehabbed the military could be a wonderful option, but though it has changed many lives it is not a reform program in and of itself. It's also unfair to the parents who send their trusting, do good 18 and 19 years olds off for voluntary service to be bunking and serving in this scenario.

While it does not have the title, the military IS a reform sort of program for many. There are MANY who enlist because they don't have a clear future, they don't want to go to college and don't have a good job, etc. The idea that the military is a great draw for fresh-faced high school graduates is a myth. Many enlist because they don't have any other path to making something of their lives.

What would bunking with one of these delinquents harm? You seem to suggest that they're going to enter the military and, with no support system, friends, etc, decide to continue their criminal ways. I disagree. Removal from a bad scenario is 99% of the battle to behavior reform.

You people are no fucking clue.

These kids would never join for one, but if they were FORCED into joining, they'd be kicked out in a hot second. They have no respect for anyone - parents, teachers, police. Do you think they'd take orders? lol!

I love how you're all such experts when you've never even spent a day with these kids. I have - in an alternative setting. not a pretty place to be

WRONG. I'm the one who suggested the military. I'm black, grew up in SE DC in the projects. My Mom still lives in one of the roughest areas of SE. I know these kids. You, obviously, do not. You seem to think that they remain tough when alone, thousands of miles from home, away from the influence of peer pressure and daily exposure to crime and poverty. You would be wrong.

You are exactly right. -OP

b/c you've spent time with them - hours a day - watching them cower at the sound of some authority figure barking at them


sorry - YOU don't know them. Until the parents step up and become parents, these kids aren't listening to anyone in the military bark orders at them. They won't last a day. And it's a reactive measure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

Well, who the heck is "they"? The victim? Do you really believe the man who was nearly beaten to death, doesn't know which criminals did it?

I suspect the cops is the "they," who have little interest in doing their job.

Did the press report the race of the victim? Or where he's from? Or how he's doing now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

Well, who the heck is "they"? The victim? Do you really believe the man who was nearly beaten to death, doesn't know which criminals did it?

I suspect the cops is the "they," who have little interest in doing their job.

Did the press report the race of the victim? Or where he's from? Or how he's doing now?

The victim had a severe concussion and memory loss so no, he likely won't be able to identify the criminals who did it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

Well, who the heck is "they"? The victim? Do you really believe the man who was nearly beaten to death, doesn't know which criminals did it?

I suspect the cops is the "they," who have little interest in doing their job.

Did the press report the race of the victim? Or where he's from? Or how he's doing now?

The victim had a severe concussion and memory loss so no, he likely won't be able to identify the criminals who did it.

Why can't anyone say with certainty, the *victim* is so far unable to identify his attackers? Do the cops even know where any of them live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

imguess I can understand the fear of not getting physically involved, but I don't understand how everybody failed to pull out their cellphones and begin videoing the incident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

Well, who the heck is "they"? The victim? Do you really believe the man who was nearly beaten to death, doesn't know which criminals did it?

I suspect the cops is the "they," who have little interest in doing their job.

Did the press report the race of the victim? Or where he's from? Or how he's doing now?

The victim had a severe concussion and memory loss so no, he likely won't be able to identify the criminals who did it.

Why can't anyone say with certainty, the *victim* is so far unable to identify his attackers? Do the cops even know where any of them live?

If the police cannot identify the attackers, how in the world would they know where they lived?

[Anonymous]

Let's be clear--they immediately stopped three teens but at the time could not positively identify them. That does not mean they don't have their information, investigating etc. What about swabbing their fingernails for DNA? We need an update from Lanier and Bwoser. #crickets #radiosilence #anothersacrificialvictimtothegodsofmetro

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

imguess I can understand the fear of not getting physically involved, but I don't understand how everybody failed to pull out their cellphones and begin videoing the incident.

I think these incidents happen so quickly that people don't have time to think. That's why I've been trying to prepare myself in case this happens on my train so I can quickly do something that is useful like try to video surreptitiously.

[Anonymous]

The article states that after the summer metro stabbing Bower proposed stiffer penalties for transport crime. OK. So what happened? Did she call a vote and it was voted down? Where is the legislation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://wtop.com/local/2015/12/red-line-attack-leaves-man-with-concussion-broken-jaw/

the last article I saw said they could "not positively identify them". Anyone have an update?

imguess I can understand the fear of not getting physically involved, but I don't understand how everybody failed to pull out their cellphones and begin videoing the incident.

I think these incidents happen so quickly that people don't have time to think. That's why I've been trying to prepare myself in case this happens on my train so I can quickly do something that is useful like try to video surreptitiously.

I considered filming some teens I saw misbehaving (not like this!) but instead went and summoned a police officer and pointed them out. I do not feel safe filming anyone as it would draw attention to me, phones themselves are a target for ruffians, and I am not clear on the laws on filming people without permission. That being said in this situation I would be working through the steps to help and would try my best up to and including filming if I could keep up with the situation transpiring (I imagine some of these incidents occur in a matter of seconds).

I apologize if it is earlier in the thread, but can anyone list the steps to take in a hostile public transportation scenario? Do the police provide guidance? For example, is pulling the emergency cord good or bad? What number to call the transit police versus the regular police? What about on a bus? I would love the "steps" listed to take with a perceived threat on public transportation, both metro and bus. The two types of police make everything confusing. It seems the time has come that we all need to know the steps and memorize them to either help ourselves or help others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be clear--they immediately stopped three teens but at the time could not positively identify them. That does not mean they don't have their information, investigating etc. What about swabbing their fingernails for DNA? We need an update from Lanier and Bwoser. #crickets #radiosilence #anothersacrificialvictimtothegodsofmetro

Agreed. Fox reports that Metro is refusing to release the video to show the "persons of interest in this attack."

Prepare for more of the same. Maybe carry pepper spray and know how to use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People of DCUM, can we keep a few things in mind?

1. This is a terrible crime. It's scary, and it's a tragedy for the victim and his family.
2. It stinks that we haven't caught the perpetrators. Let's hope they are caught soon.
3. Because they haven't been caught, we don't know anything about them - where they live, what their home situation is, why the attack occurred...we know nothing. So let's try not to ascribe a whole bunch of things to people or groups that may end up not being true.
4. This is an isolated instance. It's newsworthy because it is extremely rare that people are attacked on the metro.
5. It is not an indication of DC being a "hellhole." It's not a reason for you to stop riding metro for safety - you are much more at risk from a drunk driver or from your own driving mistakes than from something happening on the metro.
6. Try not to live your live in fear.
7. The notion of collective punishment - that as a requirement for receiving government benefits we force recipients to take birth control, or that if a child commits a crime we punish his or her parents and extended family - is abhorrent and rascist and un-American.

Let's keep these thoughts in mind as we ponder these problems.

the best and most effective modern democratic president in history believed in it.

[Anonymous]

You are going to see more and more people start to conceal carry illegally, consequences be damned, on metro. Guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

Or DC could start granting conceal carry permits - which they have been fighting tooth and nail. Seems to me they should do better policing if they want to wave that banner. People dont 'feel' unsafe on public transport. People are unsafe, the drivers on buses who are victims of constant abuse.