I’ve been taking a bus and then the metrolink to work for about a year. In the morning and back home at rushhour.

I see all types of people use the train - Asians, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, the elderly, children - and all types of proffesions. Tie-wearers, chefs, resteraunt waorkers, maintenance workers, hospital workers, university employees, students, etc. Some talk loudly on their cellphones, a few listen to their music too loud, and some carry on animated conversations. But most read or enjoy the ride.

I’ve never once seen a fight, a robbery, an assault, or any major disturbance of any kind. I expect to someday.

I’ve seen the security guards ask smokers to extinguish their smokes on the platforms, and escort a few off the train for failing to have a ticket. Every morning they ask to see my pass, and every evening as well.

I did see a woman leave her bag on the platform once, after she boarded the train - a few men quickly shouted, and one ran toward the train with it to give it to her. Right as she realized what was going on, the doors shut. Someone sitting near the driver alerted her, and she radioded the security guard. He would hold her bag until she got off came back on the opposite train.

All three of the men who shouted, and the one who dashed to get her bag to her where young, black males.

Been a city resident for years now. Just started using mass transit, and I love it - clean, mostly on time, and always interesting.

What i spend on fuel is about the same, maybe a little less, as I did when I drove to work everyday.

ive taken the train a couple times for bb games and while it is pretty cool to park and ride,the lack of effective security does indeed trouble me.
i have been at the forest park station waiting for the next train to shrewsbury and had rocks come hurtling at us from groups of who knows what above us. and security was oblivious to it even though they were right there amongst us. once someone called it to thier attention,they got on the radio and shortly there after it stopped. but how was it allowed to start in the first place? things like this have made me give up on a lot of city venues a long time ago,probably 20 years or so. the lack of protection when visiting what some would call the entertainment district,ala lacledes landing(where mostly,the crimes of assualt ,RAPE, carjacking,theft go unreported for 20 years or so). the loop i only go to during the day. i dont want to become a victum so i dont patronize the areas where i feel its likely that i could become one. and i cant heep it all on mokwas force either,its been going on for at least 3 or more police chiefs time in tender. like it or not,we as a society need to clamp down on the predators and lock em up.and quit locking up nonviolent offenders.

I live near the Forest Park station. My wife and college-age kids take the MetroLink from the airport late at night all the time. It could have been us.

Is it legal to carry a gun on the MetroLink?

The crime is no surprise. The city has done nothing to address its growing problem with crime, including record murders, drugs, and now people being attacked on its transit system. These kids clearly have nothing to do, so my recommendation is to:

1) Make school compulsory and year-round for the City of St. Louis. Skipping and tardiness should have very uncomfortable consequences.
2) Set a 9 PM curfew for those under 21. I’m not sure the age of those responsible for the attacks, but they didn’t look much older than high school age.
3) Once year round schooling has been established in the city, participation in one extra-curricular activity, such as a sport, club, or even community service, should be made mandatory. Many private schools do this and it works wonders.

Getting extra security on the Metro system only covers up the problem, rather than going to the heart of it, and that is these kids have NOTHING to do but cause trouble. Make them go to school, and make them contribute more positively to the community.

Look, I don’t think being allowed to have a gun on a train is going to help anyone. Honestly you talk big now but when you are swarmed by 20 or more kids are you really going to have enough bullets? What about escalation? You carry a pistol, they each carry pistols. you wear a bullet proof vest they use armor piercing rounds.
1.) we need to revamp metrolink stations, with gates to the platforms if we can ensure that riders actually pay fares, that in itself will deter punks from riding. It’s not hard to plan out just look at successful public transit systems around the country.
2.) stronger police presence in and around stations
3.) harsher laws for people caught causing trouble especially when it comes to assault.Criminals thrive on the indulgence of society’s understanding.
4.) We must have the courage to elect officials that are serious about cleaning this city up. It’s bad enough that we are so well known as a harbor of gangs that a British show highlights gangs in various parts of the world had a whole episode on St. Louis. see: ross kemp on gangs.

GreyGhost, I don’t want anyone, even these bad kids, to get shot. Mayor Slay, Alderman Lyda Krewson and Joe Edwards should just make sure one or two police officers are stationed at both the Forest Park and Delmar MetroLink stations after dark. Problem solved! If police had been present, these attacks would never have happened.

We need a couple of “Bernies” to cap a dozen or so punks to solve the problem !!!

Remember this …

“Bernard Goetz, was dubbed the “Subway Vigilante” by the New York press. He became a symbol of New Yorkers’ frustrations with a high crime rate when he shot four men intent on robbing him on the Seventh Avenue 2 express subway train in Manhattan in 1984.”

In 4 years of riding the Metro to andfrom work I have only witnessed one incident of violence. It occurred on the AM commute and involved a male youth beating another, female, youth. On a train loaded with people I was the only person who intervened, so I have SOME first-hand experience.

The main problem is that the Police will only be present for a while, then will taper off to nothing and this will happen again. Another issue is that Metro needs to provide trained ARMED security personnell at EVERY station during operating hours. There are already inneffective security people there, so the additional cost should be nominal.

This is disgusting, and NEEDS to be dealt with IMMEDIATELY. Personally, I’m going to carry bear mace with me and refuse to go down without a fight. I ride the Metrolink because I can’t afford to drive to work, so I’ll protect what little I do have.

My sister said that one of her co-workers got jumped by some thugz at the Metro-Link at 8th and pine last week.She got beat up pretty bad.It would be nice if the cops could empty their guns out on these worthless thugz,and let their bodies rot,so they can put all the other thugs on notice that their kind of behavior won’t be tolarated.

Bill Hannegan,

“Is it legal to carry a gun on the MetroLink?”

The Metrolink is not listed as one of the 17 places were carrying is against the statute. However, they do have a sign which says “NO CCW”. Pull that sign off the wall and you can use it like a shield against flying lead. That’s the only thing it’s really good for.

CCW statutes are below. See section 571-107.

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c571.htm

However, there is a provision about carrying on a bus. Now, I don’t know if the Metrolink qualifies as a bus or not.

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c500-599/5780000305.htm

I’m not making any recommendations, just pointing things out.