Are there thugs roaming around Sacramento all the time?

[wburg]

Homeless people also get tickets--sometimes they may get passed over simply because they obviously aren't going to be able to pay it, but often they do get fined. So don't pretend that they are somehow coddled. Similarly, "working citizens" can often talk their way out of a ticket too.

I have ridden Light Rail since it opened in 1986, on a pretty regular basis. Never saw anything that made me want to stop riding. A few people with BO and some trash on the cars, not my favorite thing but not a deal breaker either.

[kalyson]

Originally Posted by wburg

Homeless people also get tickets--sometimes they may get passed over simply because they obviously aren't going to be able to pay it, but often they do get fined. So don't pretend that they are somehow coddled. Similarly, "working citizens" can often talk their way out of a ticket too.

I have ridden Light Rail since it opened in 1986, on a pretty regular basis. Never saw anything that made me want to stop riding. A few people with BO and some trash on the cars, not my favorite thing but not a deal breaker either.

Not pretending anything. As a light rail rider myself, I am reporting what I have seen. And obviously the homeless/indigents are being passed over because they cannot pay. I have never, ever heard of a working person talking their way out of a ticket on the Sacramento Light Rail.

The point was that there are security issues because the purpose of the "security" on the light rail is primarily to enforce payment on the rail system. My guess is they do not receive much training in actual security measures -- they are more like meter maids than police. This is an issue that should be addressed to promote safety on a transportation system that could be a real asset to this city.

[wburg]

You may have noticed the folks in black and yellow uniforms on Light Rail then--they are actually security, they don't have the authority to issue tickets but serve in an "observe and report" role. They work in conjunction to RT police who respond to emergency calls from the train. And having worked with the homeless and indigents for years and known many who got tickets, I can assure you that even poor people get them--they just usually spend time doing work project instead of paying a cash fine.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by wburg

You may have noticed the folks in black and yellow uniforms on Light Rail then--they are actually security, they don't have the authority to issue tickets but serve in an "observe and report" role. They work in conjunction to RT police who respond to emergency calls from the train. And having worked with the homeless and indigents for years and known many who got tickets, I can assure you that even poor people get them--they just usually spend time doing work project instead of paying a cash fine.

Can'tm wait to see the lawsuit for that one. Making a by-choice street person work challenged as cruel and unusual punishment since it's not a part of their reality or lifestyle and may be denying them the opportunity to receive three hots and a cot for a few days in the cross-bar motel for contempt (failure to pay fine). Stay tuned! It has to be coming.