---- To Trimet ----
Wouldn't good training for your fare inspectors and enforcement officers cost a whole lot less that fighting a federal lawsuit, which you will most likely lose anyway. Ongoing training for those on your staff who deal with the public is your best defense against lawsuits, and is also a way to improve your image and attract riders.
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Way to stand up for what you believe in Bricker. When power is abused by those who wield it, everyone loses. Boltjes may be within a vague set of guidelines which allows him to abuse his authority and part of the problem is the subjective nature of the rule. Ultimately Tri Met should step up and recognize and accept that the employee behavior does harm the community and defending one's position with constitutional justification was just wrong. The punishment doesn't sound at all like it fits the crime unless an argument with the person of authority is unlawful. Last I checked this is still a democracy.
For those who continue to justify your selfish excuse for not using mass transit with whatever weak excuse comes along, shame on you. Mass transit is part of the solution to many of society's current ills.
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Crowded platforms + theives stealing rides + jaded, tired rent-a-cops + blow-hard, loud-mouths = TriMet. (shudder) I'm going to kiss my steering wheel next time I climb into my car.
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On a related note, my 17-year old granddaughter was excluded from Tri-Met for 30 days because she had a youth bus pass but could not prove she was under 18, even though the fare inspector was able to establish her age from her social security card and school ID. After attending a hearing where she proved her age with an Oregon ID card, she was still issued the exclusion because Tri-Met rules supposedly say you have to have proof of age with you to use a youth bus pass. Too bad she wasn't trying to vote as you don't need ID for that in many states including Oregon.
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yrannosaurus Wrecks
Trimet
fares contribute only a fraction of the cost to run that system. The
users are getting what is essentially a free ride, or at least a deeply
discounted one. You usually get what you pay for in life and Trimet
riders get a cheap unreliable system ridden with crime, street vagrants,
surly, sometimes criminal bus drivers and worse. Some users have the
brass to complain because they're not getting a champagne service for
their kool-aid money. Trimet is for those too poor lazy or hopelessly
dependent to aspire to anything more in life than a handout. Well,
you've got your handout, such as it is. Deal with it because it isn't
going to get any better.
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If it wasn't for the union then Larry Boltjes would be immediately terminated.
Since the TriMet code specifically says "intent" it's almost impossible to be cited for noise.
Since the TriMet code specifically says "intent" it's almost impossible to be cited for noise.
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Trimet
definitely needs to revisit how they train fare inspectors. I was
treated like crap and belittled by one once, I wasn't even issued a
ticket, I was warned but was so upset with the conduct I felt I needed
to report the inspector. Fat egos with authority never do good things.
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...I wish they'd so something more about:
1) loud cell phone users on board buses and trains. I'd almost consider saving up to get one of those pocket jammers were they not illegal.
2) people who crank up their music so loud you can hear it several seats away.
3) people who bring large objects on board that obstruct the aisles/doorways (this includes those who insist on bringing their bicycles on a crowded Max train even when all the bike hooks are filled).
1) loud cell phone users on board buses and trains. I'd almost consider saving up to get one of those pocket jammers were they not illegal.
2) people who crank up their music so loud you can hear it several seats away.
3) people who bring large objects on board that obstruct the aisles/doorways (this includes those who insist on bringing their bicycles on a crowded Max train even when all the bike hooks are filled).
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The
fact that he didnt do his job wasnt due to her speech, it was due to
his poor exercise of proper priorities. At the time it seemed more
important to him to exercise his authority over her than to apprehend
the non-payer. That's not her fault, its his alone.
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The
fact that he didnt do his job wasnt due to her speech, it was due to
his poor exercise of proper priorities. At the time it seemed more
important to him to exercise his authority over her than to apprehend
the non-payer. That's not her fault, its his alone.
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The
inspector was out of line and they should never tell people their
rights, as the inspectors have no authority to interpret the law.
On the other hand, imagine being in the inspector's shoes. You're dealing with obnoxious fare evader #30 of the day when some prissy little attorney sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. The reaction (excluding her) was wrong but I think the emotion (being upset that some random person is adding another layer of frustration to an already frustrating experience) is justified. She could've kept her mouth shut and none of this would have happened. But like most attorneys, her feelings of self-importance are well developed.
On the other hand, imagine being in the inspector's shoes. You're dealing with obnoxious fare evader #30 of the day when some prissy little attorney sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. The reaction (excluding her) was wrong but I think the emotion (being upset that some random person is adding another layer of frustration to an already frustrating experience) is justified. She could've kept her mouth shut and none of this would have happened. But like most attorneys, her feelings of self-importance are well developed.
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If somebody is abusing their authority to violate my rights then I would appreciate a stranger stepping in to make it known.
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If no one will stand up for our freedoms, then we are no long worthy to have them.
Also the people that work for me are told up front, they are never to have a bad day in front of a customer. Cops should never say or use this as a reason to write someone up. If you walk into my office and tell me you're having a bad day and need to get off for the rest of the day, i am much happier than if you have a problem in front of a customer.
Also the people that work for me are told up front, they are never to have a bad day in front of a customer. Cops should never say or use this as a reason to write someone up. If you walk into my office and tell me you're having a bad day and need to get off for the rest of the day, i am much happier than if you have a problem in front of a customer.
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1. The person is a fare inspector
2. Fare Inspectors are seen by the public as law enforcement (they can write tickets)
3. This fare inspector made two intentionally false statements relating to the law in an attempt to force his will upon members of the public because a) he didn't wish to be filmed and b) did not want to be called on his bad behavior.
4. If you feel that you can't enforce the law without lying, look for a different line of work.
2. Fare Inspectors are seen by the public as law enforcement (they can write tickets)
3. This fare inspector made two intentionally false statements relating to the law in an attempt to force his will upon members of the public because a) he didn't wish to be filmed and b) did not want to be called on his bad behavior.
4. If you feel that you can't enforce the law without lying, look for a different line of work.
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THIS
is why people drive as they enjoy their civil liberties. When one gets
on a bus or a train they are subject to the whims of the goons that
drive the bus or train. In addition, they are subject to the nutjobs
that get on the bus or train around them. It is not a safe place at all.
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Most
of these fare inspectors are nothing more than glorified rent a cops.
Typical law enforcement mentality that they are the man and don't take
lip from anybody. These people need to grow a little thicker skin and
realize that they can only cite somebody for an actual offense. I just
had a friend in Troutdale get jumped for jaywalking across main street
on a quiet sunday morning. My friend mouthed off a little (no profanity
or anything) and he ended up getting 2 citations.
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Trimet employs hundreds of relatively undesirable personalities like this clown.
Too many let the bain of the public transit riding community taint the way they interact with the rest of us.
I'd say in the 25 yrs I've lived in PDX only about 25% of the drivers have even come close to being respectful let alone polite or concious of the brand they represent.
I'd rate DMV employees ahead of these negative nancys.
Too many let the bain of the public transit riding community taint the way they interact with the rest of us.
I'd say in the 25 yrs I've lived in PDX only about 25% of the drivers have even come close to being respectful let alone polite or concious of the brand they represent.
I'd rate DMV employees ahead of these negative nancys.
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"Bricker
said she heard TriMet insector Larry Boltjes tell the man to "stop
talking" and that he had no free-speech rights on public transit
platforms.
"I called to him that I disagreed," Bricker says in a U.S. District Court complaint"
This "poor man" was using his authority to trample the free speech rights of another. He got called out on it and like a child caught in a lie decided to blame it on Bricker.
"I called to him that I disagreed," Bricker says in a U.S. District Court complaint"
This "poor man" was using his authority to trample the free speech rights of another. He got called out on it and like a child caught in a lie decided to blame it on Bricker.
I respect your opinion Cris-but competely disagree with your assessment.
ReplyDeleteOur rights are being stripped away by our police state. Trimet is a microcosm of the state of our government.
I was subjected myself to abuse of rules and regulations and phony complaints.
Do I have a bug up my ass about all that?
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
They subjected me to psychological torture now I am getting some justice as a member of the public.
You don't know me Cris, we have never met. I'm just calling out the hypocrisy and abuse that occurs at that agency.
Management and employees are all targets if there is injustice it needs to be exposed.
You're a happy employee and as such can't see the forest for the trees.
I left the union because I was having my rights of free speech trampled on, just like the company did.
When something stinks I will cover it right here because the major media won't.