Why does Marta provides there own police security for Woodward Academy Kids and not all schools. (Atlanta: how much, private school)

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

No idea about that, but there are arrangements like this with many agencies not just the police all over the city, so it's not a real surprise.

One of those Woodward kids get hurt and WSBTV, FOX5, 11Alive and the other networks will kick up a fuss. Solidly middle & upperclass reporters identify with solidly middle & upperclass parents so the reporting will be intense.

Because of that aforementioned factor, middle & upperclass parents(especially white ones) can count on having the juice to bully these sort of arrangements out of agencies like MARTA Police, especially if they have a couple of like minded supporters on the MARTA board and on MARTOC.

This is the south, where feudalism politics rule the day. Money & class are upheld above all else. Don't count on this situation changing anytime soon.

Of course it is some racial conspiracy! You do realize Woodward is about 40% non-white? Are poor parents bullying when they demand better schools?

We have a son there and you pay for a pass through the school to use MARTA(it cost more than the standard MARTA Breeze Card). We don't regularly use it, but it is less expensive than the bus.

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by rzzzz

Wouldn't 200 kids storming the train at the same time every day be reason enough for an extra cop to be in the station? There is a crossing guard in the morning and afternoon at the school by my house, too...

The Marta police are not just at the station, but actually board and ride the train to monitor the kids.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

The Marta police are not just at the station, but actually board and ride the train to monitor the kids.

It is possible that these are off duty MARTA police hired by the school, certainly paid for by the parents. Generally speaking, when an organization hires off duty police for a task, they wear their uniforms. On Sunday mornings when large churches have police directing traffic, they are always in uniform and often have their car with them, but they are off duty and paid for by the church at least in DeKalb.

[RoslynHolcomb]

Originally Posted by dichloromethane

Well neither is correct so neither. I don't know the details. I'd assume woodward has some sort of agreement with MARTA. You know, a business contract?

It was a joke. Woodward parents pay enough extra to get on the local news station once in a while.

No need to get mad at those students or parents. You get what you pay for always.

I never said I was mad at either. I certainly have no dog inthe fight, and expressly said I had no beef with it. I'm familiar with people hiring off duty officers for such things, which is why I asked.

[testa50]

Maybe there have been problems with behavior on past rides home and the police want to make sure that doesn't happen anymore.

I've never ridden the 4PM train from the airport with Woodward students because I don't ever get off work that early, but I have ridden many morning trains to the airport (~7:30) that are stuffed with Woodward students, as well as trains back from the airport later in the evening (~6:30) that have lots of students. I have never witnessed a police officer looking after the Woodward kids particularly. I see cops on those trains no more often than on normal trains.

The station attendants, who regularly hang out by the gates and on the platforms during peak hours to make sure there are no problems, definitely have their hands full with Woodward kids. The kids have a habit of hanging out near the ledge, or approaching the ledge when trains are nearing, so the station attendants are always yelling at them saying to keep away from the tracks.

I think paying extra attention to the well-being of more vulnerable riders (even if they are mainly more vulnerable because they might not fully comprehend what would happen to them if they fell off the platform) is sound policy. It prevents tragedies and keeps the system usable for a variety of people, and not just single guys who are more able to defend themselves. Sort of like how spending millions on elevators for disables people is sound policy (and required by law), even though such people make up only a small percentage of users. Same situation.

If Woodward foots the bill for police patrols (which is a common arrangement), all the better.

[AnsleyPark]

Good post, Testa. I don't know why some folks make this an economic class / racial issue. It's nothing more than looking after a large group of vulnerable riders. Besides, those kids bring needed revenue to the system. That benefits everyone.

[cqholt]

Okay that makes sense thanks Acidsnake, boy if Marta could provide security like that for the whole system, that would be awesome. You rarely see Marta police monitor the trains like they should be.

MARTA police are on the system, they will be on trains, at stations, and especially watching parking lots since there is a problem with break ins. The kids ride the trains in the mornings without personal protection and nothing ever happens to the kids at Five Points while transferring.

Maybe there have been problems with behavior on past rides home and the police want to make sure that doesn't happen anymore.

I've never ridden the 4PM train from the airport with Woodward students because I don't ever get off work that early, but I have ridden many morning trains to the airport (~7:30) that are stuffed with Woodward students, as well as trains back from the airport later in the evening (~6:30) that have lots of students. I have never witnessed a police officer looking after the Woodward kids particularly. I see cops on those trains no more often than on normal trains.

The station attendants, who regularly hang out by the gates and on the platforms during peak hours to make sure there are no problems, definitely have their hands full with Woodward kids. The kids have a habit of hanging out near the ledge, or approaching the ledge when trains are nearing, so the station attendants are always yelling at them saying to keep away from the tracks.

I think paying extra attention to the well-being of more vulnerable riders (even if they are mainly more vulnerable because they might not fully comprehend what would happen to them if they fell off the platform) is sound policy. It prevents tragedies and keeps the system usable for a variety of people, and not just single guys who are more able to defend themselves. Sort of like how spending millions on elevators for disables people is sound policy (and required by law), even though such people make up only a small percentage of users. Same situation.

If Woodward foots the bill for police patrols (which is a common arrangement), all the better.

Great post! As long as Woodward pays the bill, who cares?

[Nast]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

Why not hired their own private security rather than using Marta Police which Dekalb and Fulton County taxpayers pay for. Does Marta contract out there Police officers ?

Is it fair that the Dekalb and Fulton County taxpayers also have to foot the bill for extra police (Marta to otherwise) to handle crowds of non-Dekalb and Fulton fans who attend Hawks, Falcons and Braves games?

[cqholt]

Is it fair that the Dekalb and Fulton County taxpayers also have to foot the bill for extra police (Marta to otherwise) to handle crowds of non-Dekalb and Fulton fans who attend Hawks, Falcons and Braves games?

Those fans pay the fare to ride MARTA.

[westau]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Those fans pay the fare to ride MARTA.

They also pay sales tax on everything they buy while at the games so MARTA gets the standard 1% of that as well.