11 DAYS HAVE PAST SINCE THE STABBING OF LEONARD JAMES

And on October 9th esteemed writer/bus driver Dan Christensen asked the following questions:

So now the question is this: “What will Trimet Management do?”

Will they apply the same solution process they used on previous safety issues? Or do safety issues that relate to the well-being of drivers have some other criteria? Will we see changes? Real changes? A new dedication to driver saftey?


Every driver is waiting to hear the solution that Trimet Management is no doubt working on. So far we have heard next to nothing but I will be patient and a little curious. I’m willing to give time and the benefit of the doubt because in the end I want all drivers at Trimet to be as safe as possible.

So what exactly has Trimet done to protect its employees in the wake of the Leonard James incident? Well Mcfarlane made the following statement:

Last night, a TriMet bus operator was injured in an assault on the Line 33 as well as several passengers – who came to the aid of our operator. Our operator underwent surgery early this morning, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. These tragic incidents that regrettably happen in our community, impact all of us. When it is one of our coworkers it is even more difficult to accept. The entire TriMet family shares concern for the operator’s welfare and hopes for a quick recovery. Our thoughts also go out to the passengers that were wounded in the assault and their families as well.

We are working closely with the Oregon City Police Department as they lead the investigation into this assault. We have provided the police video from the bus to assist in the investigation and in the prosecution of the suspect.

Neil 

That is the only thing anybody has heard from management about the stabbing of one of its employees. Does anybody else see the double standards that Trimet employs to 'protect' the public vs 'protect' its employees. I've known for quite some time that TRIMET is only interested in 'image' and considers its drivers 'expendable pieces of equipment.'

I think we now have seen this case as a proven reality and not just some weird theory. 

This article appeared on the internal web site after I had written this post:
Operator Leonard James was released from the hospital this week and is recovering at home. Austin Vanhagen is in jail, facing multiple charges, including Assault 1, from the October 2 stabbing of Operator James and three customers on Line 33. In a statement, Leonard said, “I have felt such tremendous support from the OHSU staff, from my TriMet family, from riders and the whole community. The outpouring of support deeply touches my heart and is helping me heal. I definitely feel the love.”