Anonymous wrote:Were the attackers DCPS students too?

No, they were from PG county and known to the police there.

Were the attackers DCPS students too?

But the fact is people dont want to get stabbed or pushed onto the tracks. That doesn't mean they don't want this addressed. I would be happy to pay for more police rather than a 600 million dollar multi shelter boondoggle and Bowsers declaration that D.C. will now provide year round shelter. Still, thats DCs priority so I guess it is up to MD and VA to work with wmata on rising metro crime that no doubt impacts their commuters as much as DC residents?

I'm the PP 2 posts above who asked whether this whole "I wouldn't intervene" thing is equally fine when it's you or your loved one being randomly beaten.

I'm a 5'4" woman, with a smiley friendly face. In other words, I'm not going to be scary or threatening to anyone in terms of making them think twice about being violent.

And yet I've intervened in at least 5 violent situations (I used to live in NYC as well): 2 were parents beating the crap out of their kid; 2 were domestic violence happening right on a train or train platform (one I just screamed to interrupt it, but the other I physically intervened), and the other 1 was against a man who was groping a young lady. These did not all happen in NYC.

When faced with someone being victimized, I absolutely feel like not doing SOMETHING to stop it is equal to being complicit. Obviously the actual criminals are the cause and the most guilty and should absolutely be held the most accountable. But I ask myself what I'd want people to do if it was my child or me being victimized, and then I do that, even if I'm a little short lady. I've stayed safe, fortunately, and I don't fool myself - I am lucky that I stayed safe. But how can anyone stand around and watch a child get beaten up and do NOTHING? Not even calling to other bystanders to all rush in at once and break it up? Lie and yell that the police are coming down the stairs? Do SOMETHING to interrupt the assault - how can that many people do NOTHING?

Like I said above, I just wonder if all you who say "don't get involved" feel the same rule applies if - heaven forbid - you are the victim?

Just thinking aloud here.... Would blowing on a whistle in this situation have helped? Of course you'd have to remember to carry a whistle for just an occasion like this, but it would seem to be a way that might help without risking injury to yourself.

NP - My question for all of you who would intervene is: what would you want those same bystanders to do if it was your child getting randomly beaten up? Or it was you? Would you really be thinking on your way to the hospital "Yeah, I get why no one on a crowded platform came to my aid. I wouldn't have either."

Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. The Golden Rule. So you're cool with others doing nothing if it was you? And if you rely Uber everywhere, same question but you're just on a crowded sidewalk in DC and a bunch of kids jump you...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the gang dcps students as well

The article characterized them as a gang from PG.

Pretty appalling that nobody helped these girls.

I wouldnt intervene. I would call the cops or find the station manager. these gangs are animals, they beat up plenty of grown ups or they have guns. Its out of control. Lenfant is one of the worst places. I would never ever spend too much time at that station. Uber all the way. Until Metro figures out that a lot more people are staying away because of all the violence then it will continue to decline.

I agree that you should seek help etc. If lenfant is one of the worse stations, why no permanent police presence. That seems a no brainer.

they know they wont ever do time. its anarchy on metro now. a free for all literally. free to do whatever crime and violence they please, and you all will apologize to the attackers for the goverment not giving their parents cash, and then you will propose to pay them cash to be nice next time.

well, you can have your DC your way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the gang dcps students as well

The article characterized them as a gang from PG.

Pretty appalling that nobody helped these girls.

I wouldnt intervene. I would call the cops or find the station manager. these gangs are animals, they beat up plenty of grown ups or they have guns. Its out of control. Lenfant is one of the worst places. I would never ever spend too much time at that station. Uber all the way. Until Metro figures out that a lot more people are staying away because of all the violence then it will continue to decline.

Hurts my heart when I read these sort of stories. Horrible!

Crazy story. I'd like to think I'd step in to help, but it's hard to imagine standing up to a big gang of people like that. How exactly should one person help?

Text Metro police if you see any trouble brewing - 696873 (MyMTPD). I texted them last week about something suspicious I saw on a train, and they responded within 30 seconds and sent an officer to check it out.

A cop cannot stop a fight? Of course they can. And bystanders should do what they can.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How hard would it be for metro to put a cop on every platform? It's so absurd that they haven't done this yet.

One cop can't fight an entire gang. And can you imagine how long it would take to get back up? By then the damage is done.

I understand that we need to increase safety measures. Until we stop the gangs, however, we're being reactive.

One cop is a deterrent. Zero cops is not a deterrent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:L'Enfant Plaza...auto - correct to L'Oréal. The students who did the attacking were from PG County....some foolish beat-up challenge. Crazy antics of children and these social media challenges are insane.

Please do not make light of what these people did, this is not a foolish challenge or a crazy antics. the attackers jumped on two strangers and beat them severely, to the point that one had broken bones in her face. these kids are criminals and what they did was a criminal act. when I was growing up and I had plenty of friends and young relatives to foolish challenges and stupid things but none of them ever hurt other people, at most they broke their own bones. this kind of attack can easily result in death or brain damage, as it has happened in the past. so let's start by calling these attacks for what they are, criminal actions that need to be prosecuted and punished.

+1, but would also add, shame on every adult who stood by and did nothing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:L'Enfant Plaza...auto - correct to L'Oréal. The students who did the attacking were from PG County....some foolish beat-up challenge. Crazy antics of children and these social media challenges are insane.

Please do not make light of what these people did, this is not a foolish challenge or a crazy antics. the attackers jumped on two strangers and beat them severely, to the point that one had broken bones in her face. these kids are criminals and what they did was a criminal act. when I was growing up and I had plenty of friends and young relatives to foolish challenges and stupid things but none of them ever hurt other people, at most they broke their own bones. this kind of attack can easily result in death or brain damage, as it has happened in the past. so let's start by calling these attacks for what they are, criminal actions that need to be prosecuted and punished.

+1