Do you feel safe taking your kid on the metro?

[Anonymous]

For those interested in data in addition to anecdotes, WMATA police data here https://wmata.com/about/transit-police/crime-stats.cfm

MPD often responds to station and crime around stations, those stats here

https://crimecards.dc.gov/

[Anonymous]

Violent crime does happen, even during peak fare time, even in stations that formerly were fairly safe, so, situational awareness and pepper spray are always wise. Many of the attacks have been unprovoked and by strangers.

WASHINGTON — The Metro Transit Police Department is investigating after two people were stabbed on a platform at Metro Center Tuesday afternoon. According to a spokesperson for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the attack happened just after 3:15 p.m. at the transfer station on 13th Street in Northwest.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wmata-2-people-stabbed-while-standing-on-platform-at-metro-center/ar-AA110M1r

Metro shooting incidents in back-to-back rush hours left the transit agency and Washington region on high alert Thursday after a violent 15 hours left one dead and four injured.
Gunfire at Metro Center and across town at the Benning Road station is the latest in a string of high-profile incidents in recent months to leave commuters and transit officials on edge. Metro’s police department began to increase its presence within the 97-station system this year amid passenger concerns, although the heightened security did little to quell this week’s burst of violence.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/12/08/benning-road-metro-shooting/

An investigation is underway after a stabbing Tuesday morning at the Columbia Heights Metro Station, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) responded to a report of an assault on a train at Columbia Heights shortly before 10 a.m., officials said.

https://wjla.com/news/local/metro-station-stabbing-columbia-heights-delays-washington-dc-14th-street-northwest-metropolitan-police-department-mpd-investigation-victim-injuries-condition-hospital-suspect-id-last-seen-arrest-charges-violent-crime-mayor-bowser-chief-contee-wmata#:

Woman injured after shot fired inside L'Enfant Plaza metro; man in custody, police say

https://wjla.com/news/local/man-shooting-wounded-lenfant-plaza-police-wmata-dc-metro-crime-fight-platform-closed-trains-bypass

Such violence during rush hour at stations like Metro Center and LFP seems new. There has also been an uptick in violence on buses, including buses on Wisconsin in the Cathedral Heights area. In response, WMATA is hiring local LE for overtime shifts to increase LE presence throughout the system. https://www.wusa9.com/article/traffic/mission-metro/metro-partners-dc-police-increase-safety/65-9b5316f4-825c-4a32-8961-759cb724a790

Guardian Angels are also patrolling in the WMATA system https://cnsmaryland.org/2023/03/10/d-c-guardian-angels-return-to-the-city-to-patrol-metro-following-increase-in-crime/

There have also been assaults and carjackings on WMATA property, in garages, parking lots, etc, also during peak fare hours. Be alert to your surroundings and stay safe.

[Anonymous]

Crime in DC has skyrocketed, so have drugs and homelessness. And the number of people wandering the streets mumbling or ranting due to mental illness or drugs seems to have increased.

Yes, you may see some of this on Metro. But hopefully not ever be the target of it.

I live on the red line and have witnessed only one violent crime within the metro, which happened this past year. I’ve also had to wade with my kid through a sea of rowdy teens smoking weed, drinking, and dancing to very loud music inside Gallery Place. So, yeah - I get nervous. My kid doesn’t take Metro alone but will bus, walk, or I’ll drive him places.

[Anonymous]

i take my 1 year old on public buses quite a bit and on metro sometimes. I generally feel safe but when taking the green line dont do so if we are coming back in the evening and its not a nationals game (so sometimes less people). I had an incident on the metro once pre-baby and when I have him feel way less able to defend myself and him. Even though it isnt logical, I do avoid it at certain times and in certain parts of the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those interested in data in addition to anecdotes, WMATA police data here https://wmata.com/about/transit-police/crime-stats.cfm

MPD often responds to station and crime around stations, those stats here

https://crimecards.dc.gov/

OMG.

Look at a monthly summary. Just one.

Metro has gone down the toilet with assaults, robberies, rape attempts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those interested in data in addition to anecdotes, WMATA police data here https://wmata.com/about/transit-police/crime-stats.cfm

MPD often responds to station and crime around stations, those stats here

https://crimecards.dc.gov/

OMG.

Look at a monthly summary. Just one.

Metro has gone down the toilet with assaults, robberies, rape attempts, etc.

I wonder how this compares to how many car accidents happen per month in this area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to the zoo last weekend and took the metro in. Admittedly, I haven't been on the metro in the past 5 years (before I had kids). I was shocked at how many people on the metro seem like they are half out of their minds. Screaming to themselves, smelling like feces, clearly on something, etc. I felt so uncomfortable having my kids near them and I regretted not just buying a zoo parking pass.

Maybe the metro has always been like this, but I never noticed before I had kids. Do you guys skip the metro if you have young kids?

That's how suburbanites see urban centers because they aren't used to that environment. Its very much a country mouse visiting his big city cousin.

Downplaying real crime and safety issues on metro and couching it in cutsey and dismissive language helps no one. People being shot on platforms during rush hour, stabbed in stations during rush hour, including major hubs like MC and LP did not happen in the past. A woman was just stabbed on a green line train at 5pm by stranger at NY on a day there were games at Nats Park and Audi.

Even "city mice" to borrow your term, deserve better than that.

Agreed, but I feel sorry for these “city mice” who are revealing their provincial and unsophisticated world views with these comments. Evidently they have never traveled or lived in urban centers in Europe and Asia where people can enjoy public resources with lower crime, violence and vagrancy. So sad and I hope that they have a chance to discover that urban living does not necessarily mean accepting criminal and antisocial behavior in public spaces as normal.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why you think it’s mutually exclusive to ride metro regularly AND think that crime on metro is not okay. Obviously no one here condones crime. It’s still the case that your odds of being a victim of crime in the metro system are quite low. Yes, you do encounter weirdos but part of life skills is learning how to deal with it (change cars, etc).

[Anonymous]

I do feel safe taking my kid on the metro, but we take the blue line most of the time. One of the safer lines, IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why you think it’s mutually exclusive to ride metro regularly AND think that crime on metro is not okay. Obviously no one here condones crime. It’s still the case that your odds of being a victim of crime in the metro system are quite low. Yes, you do encounter weirdos but part of life skills is learning how to deal with it (change cars, etc).

But you do condone crime. Look how you vote: increasingly radical progressive, every time.

The policies you vote for increase crime; do not try to deny it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why you think it’s mutually exclusive to ride metro regularly AND think that crime on metro is not okay. Obviously no one here condones crime. It’s still the case that your odds of being a victim of crime in the metro system are quite low. Yes, you do encounter weirdos but part of life skills is learning how to deal with it (change cars, etc).

But you do condone crime. Look how you vote: increasingly radical progressive, every time.

The policies you vote for increase crime; do not try to deny it.

My hometown, San Francisco, realized the DA’s radicalism was a massive driver of crime.

This is why we recalled Chesa Boudin, a progressive, an extremist, and sadly yes - a democrat.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesa_Boudin

[Anonymous]

I commute via metro so would not have been surprised to see this on a weekday. On a weekend, maybe more surprising.

You have to be alert and willing to change cars if something makes you uncomfortable. At my stops (on and off), both red line if that matters, there are always panhandlers right outside the station. Sometimes on the train too. Often one of the Roma women with a drugged child strapped to her chest. Not infrequently a homeless guy passed out on the train or muttering and stalking the aisles. Sometimes teenagers acting loud and obnoxious and almost daring adults to say anything. It's public transit so you get all the public stuff.

I take it anyway, and take my kids anyway, but am extra careful about moving cars when I have the kids with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to the zoo last weekend and took the metro in. Admittedly, I haven't been on the metro in the past 5 years (before I had kids). I was shocked at how many people on the metro seem like they are half out of their minds. Screaming to themselves, smelling like feces, clearly on something, etc. I felt so uncomfortable having my kids near them and I regretted not just buying a zoo parking pass.

Maybe the metro has always been like this, but I never noticed before I had kids. Do you guys skip the metro if you have young kids?

That's how suburbanites see urban centers because they aren't used to that environment. Its very much a country mouse visiting his big city cousin.

Downplaying real crime and safety issues on metro and couching it in cutsey and dismissive language helps no one. People being shot on platforms during rush hour, stabbed in stations during rush hour, including major hubs like MC and LP did not happen in the past. A woman was just stabbed on a green line train at 5pm by stranger at NY on a day there were games at Nats Park and Audi.

Even "city mice" to borrow your term, deserve better than that.

Agreed, but I feel sorry for these “city mice” who are revealing their provincial and unsophisticated world views with these comments. Evidently they have never traveled or lived in urban centers in Europe and Asia where people can enjoy public resources with lower crime, violence and vagrancy. So sad and I hope that they have a chance to discover that urban living does not necessarily mean accepting criminal and antisocial behavior in public spaces as normal.

This. I have been taking Metro for decades, and buses even more so (raise your hand if you’re familiar with the X2), and it’s such b.s..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I commute via metro so would not have been surprised to see this on a weekday. On a weekend, maybe more surprising.

You have to be alert and willing to change cars if something makes you uncomfortable. At my stops (on and off), both red line if that matters, there are always panhandlers right outside the station. Sometimes on the train too. Often one of the Roma women with a drugged child strapped to her chest. Not infrequently a homeless guy passed out on the train or muttering and stalking the aisles. Sometimes teenagers acting loud and obnoxious and almost daring adults to say anything. It's public transit so you get all the public stuff.

I take it anyway, and take my kids anyway, but am extra careful about moving cars when I have the kids with me.

This is a big area where situational awareness pays off, because many of these kids won’t hesitate to beat the crap out of you and your family. Be ready to exit at the next station even if it’s not your stop.

[Anonymous]

But just getting off at the next stop does not mean aggressive teens won’t follow you off the train.