How to learn street smarts? Metro edition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's good to get a seat by the emergency handle.

No, no, NO! You NEVER PULL THE EMERGENCY HANDLE. Not unless stopping the train is the only solution to avoid killing someone. You do not pull the emergency handle because a perv touched your ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all are so worried about things being stolen and their personal space being violated. How about smoke/fire in the car? Terrorism? What if the system shuts down, a la 9-11?

There are signs all over the trains saying what to do in case of a fire. If there's a bomb detonated, follow the crowd to get out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watch out for out of place riders from dc

On a public subway you can't really have outplace riders. Also the metro is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

sign up for DC alerts (http://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc) and/or the MPD listserv for the police district your kids travel to http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/police-community-online-email-list-groups

Show them the crime maps. Talk about crime prevention. Go on the metro with them but then sit away from them and watch how they do. Talk about how to ask for help from fellow passengers, drivers, and station managers if they have a problem--but teach them that to avoid problems they can move away from people or get off the train/bus and wait for the next one. Teach them how to say in a polite, firm, and loud but not yelling voice "please stop touching me." Also teach them what to do if they witness a crime.

But also make sure they aren't scared unnecessarily. Most people who use their phone on metro don't get robbed. Walking down the street is almost always safe. When it's not safe, the people who are likely to help you the most and best are your fellow travelers--look at them as potential supports, not potential assailants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sign up for DC alerts (http://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc) and/or the MPD listserv for the police district your kids travel to http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/police-community-online-email-list-groups

Show them the crime maps. Talk about crime prevention. Go on the metro with them but then sit away from them and watch how they do. Talk about how to ask for help from fellow passengers, drivers, and station managers if they have a problem--but teach them that to avoid problems they can move away from people or get off the train/bus and wait for the next one. Teach them how to say in a polite, firm, and loud but not yelling voice "please stop touching me." Also teach them what to do if they witness a crime.

But also make sure they aren't scared unnecessarily. Most people who use their phone on metro don't get robbed. Walking down the street is almost always safe. When it's not safe, the people who are likely to help you the most and best are your fellow travelers--look at them as potential supports, not potential assailants.

This is excellent advice. Thank you!