I take public transportation. I also get alerts on my phone in case of delays, etc.
So, this morning, there was an alert that trains were delayed due to police activity near the earlier stop. Ok.
Trains had started moving, and I got on the next train.
Three stops later, we were stopped. They announced that we were standing due to police activity. Well, I was in the second-to-last car, and apparently there was a disturbance in the last car, so we were waiting for CPD to show up.
Several CPD officers went past our car. The conductor announced that passengers from the last car needed to get off and move to a different car. Then I heard shouting. Next announcement was that we were waiting for EMT. Some came into our car and said the guy was threatening the police with a knife.
EMT arrived and they finally wheeled him out strapped to a gurney. He was spewing profanities as he was wheeled past us.
Too often people who are homeless and/or have mental health issues take the train all day as they have nowhere else to go. They scare other passengers with their erratic and harassing behaviors, and the police are called.
This is what happens with deinstitutionalization. We need more funding for mental health services and affordable housing.
So, reader, I am asking for your stories. Have you witnessed incidents on public transportation where you feel scared? What else goes through your mind?
As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.
