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Old 12-11-2014, 05:44 PM
 
10,974 posts, read 10,799,408 times
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The Myth That Mass Transit Attracts Crime Is Alive in Atlanta - CityLab

Quote:
It is ironic that rail access is actually found to reduce crime in the representative white suburban neighborhood, because most of the opposition to rail transit has come from white suburban residents. This opposition, however, may only superficially have to do with concerns over crime. The real motivation may be racial bigotry (Bayor 2000).

Quote:
...A 2003 study, conducted by Keith Ihlanfeldt, looked at crime in Fulton and DeKalb counties, home to 31 MARTA stations in the early 1990s. Ihlanfeldt did find some connection between transit access and increased crime in central-city—and, in particular, poor central-city—neighborhoods. But in the suburbs, Ihlanfeldt found that transit had no effect on crime in black neighborhoods and had reduced crime in white ones, leading him to conclude that "fears expressed by suburban residents over station-induced neighborhood crime are unfounded".

So for any Atlantans truly afraid that new transit brings new crime, the evidence is there to ease your minds. At most, the work done to date warrants a little extra security in the months just after a station opens, particularly in disadvantaged central-city neighborhoods—a strategy that would seem wise even in the absence of any relevant research
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Old 12-11-2014, 06:13 PM
 
9,008 posts, read 13,962,159 times
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I'm all for mass transit.

But I will say that many years ago, I was shopping at the Brookhaven Kroger (the one that was once a Harris Teeter, became a Kroger, and I don't know what it is now....Peachtree Rd and N. Druid Hills) and I got panhandled on the way in.

Once inside, I saw the manager and asked him what in the world was going on. This is a nice suburban Kroger in one of the wealthiest areas of Atlanta, why did I get panhandled in front of it? He just shook his head and pointed at the MARTA station across the street.

So I can't say that MARTA actually increases crime, but it would be foolish not to acknowledge that it does bring bad things. They are just outweighed by the good things.
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Old 12-11-2014, 06:18 PM
 
787 posts, read 961,603 times
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Of course it's a myth, people just use any excuse just because they don't want public transportation.
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Old 12-11-2014, 06:31 PM
 
Location: Atlanta
644 posts, read 1,423,751 times
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So I guess all the subway stations running in the upper east side of Manhattan... Have decreased property values????
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Old 12-11-2014, 06:54 PM
 
31,993 posts, read 36,507,354 times
Reputation: 13244
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATLTJL View Post
I'm all for mass transit.

But I will say that many years ago, I was shopping at the Brookhaven Kroger (the one that was once a Harris Teeter, became a Kroger, and I don't know what it is now....Peachtree Rd and N. Druid Hills) and I got panhandled on the way in.

Once inside, I saw the manager and asked him what in the world was going on. This is a nice suburban Kroger in one of the wealthiest areas of Atlanta, why did I get panhandled in front of it? He just shook his head and pointed at the MARTA station across the street.

So I can't say that MARTA actually increases crime, but it would be foolish not to acknowledge that it does bring bad things. They are just outweighed by the good things.
I'd say MARTA does bring some homeless people, and possibly there is some petty property crime associated with that. Transit may also bring young people who "hang out" but there's nothing inherently wrong with that.

However, I don't think transit brings violent crime nor do I think it brings major property crime. You can't boost a big screen TV and make your getaway on the bus or train.

In my opinion the trains and stations themselves are well policed and safe. There is probably some snatching of phones going on. There may be some car break-ins in MARTA parking lots but that is no different from other parking lots.

The vast majority of robbers and burglars use cars, not public transit.
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Old 12-11-2014, 06:58 PM
 
209 posts, read 274,274 times
Reputation: 269
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATLTJL View Post
I'm all for mass transit.

But I will say that many years ago, I was shopping at the Brookhaven Kroger (the one that was once a Harris Teeter, became a Kroger, and I don't know what it is now....Peachtree Rd and N. Druid Hills) and I got panhandled on the way in.

Once inside, I saw the manager and asked him what in the world was going on. This is a nice suburban Kroger in one of the wealthiest areas of Atlanta, why did I get panhandled in front of it? He just shook his head and pointed at the MARTA station across the street.

So I can't say that MARTA actually increases crime, but it would be foolish not to acknowledge that it does bring bad things. They are just outweighed by the good things.

Panhandlers =/= the crime people are worried about. Panhandlers are virtually always harmless, although they are undesirable. I think any neighborhood worried about increased panhandling with the opening of a new MARTA station can simply increase enforcement of anti-panhandling laws in the areas near the station.
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Old 12-11-2014, 08:06 PM
 
989 posts, read 1,735,581 times
Reputation: 690
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ha-Mez View Post
Panhandlers =/= the crime people are worried about. Panhandlers are virtually always harmless, although they are undesirable. I think any neighborhood worried about increased panhandling with the opening of a new MARTA station can simply increase enforcement of anti-panhandling laws in the areas near the station.
More than that, homelessness is a societal issue. No one should be insulated from it. It's like, where should homeless people congregate? It's not like poor neighborhoods welcome panhandlers....
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Old 12-11-2014, 09:59 PM
 
Location: Atlanta
3,573 posts, read 5,281,437 times
Reputation: 2396
I shopped at Krogers, Wal-Marts, Food Lions, and many big box grocery stores in many rural areas...and I have been panhandled by typically impoverished looking couples who often slept in their cars. More often than not, they would have kids in tow.

No transit around.

But I suppose some people simply can't help but stay wedded to those old "transit = crime & poor quality-of-life" narratives.

Georgia is such a butt-backwards place with a lot of paleolithic thought processes.

I can see why no "Silicon Valley" type of area will ever have a chance in hades of cropping up here anytime soon. Too much of that old-world thinking around these parts.

Last edited by AcidSnake; 12-11-2014 at 10:03 PM.. Reason: To make my messaging more effective; and I talk a lot.
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Old 12-11-2014, 10:31 PM
 
Location: NW Atlanta
6,495 posts, read 6,064,815 times
Reputation: 4453
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcidSnake View Post

Georgia is such a butt-backwards place with a lot of paleolithic thought processes.

I can see why no "Silicon Valley" type of area will ever have a chance in hades of cropping up here anytime soon. Too much of that old-world thinking around these parts.
How's the view up on the high-horse of yours?
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Old 12-11-2014, 10:45 PM
 
18,039 posts, read 25,052,276 times
Reputation: 16721
Few cops = High crime... period
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