Neal Berlin on the situation

Lindsay House , the situation of safety and security for the Rank & File and transit passengers have been on going criss for for over decades.

  What you describe is just a variation of a chronic problems that have been brought to the attention of past TriMet CEOs,the TriMet Board of Directors ( bobble heads…all of the them), ATU 757 and media. 

One just has to just review on line past TriMet Board of Directors meetings(if you plan on doing so,make sure you have a large bottle of libations. It is like watching grass grow.)Pick any year going back just 10 years or even 5 years.  What you see and hear is orchestrated repetitive litany of: “ …one incident is one to many…” false sincerity expressed for victims of violence, Union testimony of concern ( note only three minutes is allowed to expound on any problems) and of course the PowerPoint presentation by TriMet head of Security and Safety ( for over 20 years, Harry “PowerPoint “ Suporta and the various heads of the Portland Transit Police) who basically recite the mantra that in comparison to other transit agencies things are not that bad.  With the overall view of :

If one is not personally a crime statistic,what’s the problem?  It has taken over 15 years for TriMet to finally install partial operator barriers that are ineffective. The Union strategy of exposing of what is taking place on TriMet bus and trains has been inept and that is being very kind describing the chaos that has taken place in the past and continues to escalate to this very day.  

Many concerned Rank & File members, past and present have been to Board of Directors meetings, video taped these meetings with running commentary ( there is treasure trove of these available for viewing), attended Union meetings, held on line monthly chats to discuss courses of action. Unfortunately with little effect on changing anything.  

I encourage you to stay involved in trying to ameliorate the current the dire situations that face operators on a daily basis.  There is satisfaction knowing that you personally tried to contribute to help  all affected by the lack of civility. Good luck in having a long and safe tenure at TriMet. You are going to need it.