Safety of Marc Trains and Stations (Baltimore, Catonsville: rentals, crime, living in)

[scrawledfilefish]

Hello,
Does anyone know if it's safe to ride the Marc train and/or to wait at the stations from the Catonsville area into Baltimore (Penn Station)? Stations I've been told are relatively close to rentals I'm looking at are:
West Baltimore
Baltimore Airport
St Denis
Halethorpe
and of course, Penn Station, which would be my definite destination.

The MARC transit police tell me I have to file a freedom of info request to get crime stats. Makes me a little uneasey.

Thanks.

[Woodlands]

St. Denis- isolated limited service...but safe particuliarly in the day time

BWI- Major terminal always passengers go to/from on both MARC and Amtrak.. safe generally all hours

Halethorpe- busy station.. limited facilities.. particuliarly for northbound passengers.. most are going southbound and only get off on the northbound platform which is nothing more than asphalt. Should be very safe for daytime commute.. adult bookstore across the street for your reading pleasure.

West Baltimore... generally safe for daytime commute.. may have limited service northbound. May want to exercise caution at night. I have not heard of any incidents happening at this station, but it is in an area that may be considered by some to be rough though their are redevelopment plans in the early stages. The station is elevated and highly visable, so you do have a good view of your surroundings.

Again if you are going on a reverse commute (to Baltimore as opposed to DC) presumably during the day you should not have any problems at any of these stations.

[scrawledfilefish]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

[lemonhead]

I use the West Baltimore station (young 20's woman) and I have had NO problems...even if I come later at night to get my car from the parking lot...I've had no problems, nothing to make me uncomfortable.

In fact....I have to say this whole marc train thing has been overall the best commute I have ever had since living in the Baltimore/DC area.

[marcrider]

Interesting - on my first day of taking the MARC from West Baltimore, I got my bag snatched. It was 6:15am. I had spotted these two guys earlier when I went on the platform and decided they were too sketchy to be standing around by myself (and I am a young female) so I went back to my car to wait for other commuters to arrive. I was very aware of them and my surroundings, but even in front of all these other commuters, they snatched my bag. Believe me, I put up a good fight too, except I was scared they might have a gun. One commuter actually chased them down and got my bag back, but he and I were both very lucky nothing happened to us.

[Woodlands]

Wow.. that's unfortunate.. Were you in the parking lot or on the platform? I have heard similiar tales from those who venture to park on the residential side streets because the parking lot is full. Generally if you are in the parking lot on on the the platform there are usually no issues. MTA Police patrol regularly and there are cameras.. not that deters the most determine criminal.. but it helps

[marcrider]

I was on my way up to the platform, on the stairs, coming from the lot. I had parked in the lot. People were going up the stairs too from the lot and the two sketchy men were walking down, grabbed my bag and started running (after quite a tug-of-war with me and several spectators). I don't see any cameras and absolutely no MTA police, no MTA anyone, just other commuters. Also to access the southbound trains to DC you have to walk under this pretty scary and dark bridge, even if there is some lighting. So, it could have happened at dawn or daylight, they had no problem doing it in front of other people. The good thing is the cops are aware and will be starting to patrol every so often (I've been told).

[Woodlands]

Wow... the cameras cover the platform and the parking lot.... not sure any face the stairs going up to the southbound platform..That was pretty brazen even for a Baltimore thug.. to do that with others around but I imagine people are getting desperate thus bold. Glad u are ok just be careful