COVID EFFECT. Public Transit Complaints Up

What is happening? Since COVID, complaints to transit departments are rising, and bus drivers are noting increased violence and behavioral health issues. As a result a Seattle bus driver talked to her local legislators and suggested behavioral health specialists ride buses and intervene because they will be able to solve issues without the added stress that uniformed officers can add to a situation.

Why is this important? The legislature created a  state-funded pilot program to deescalate situations and engage services more quickly as violent crime has increased on transit since COVID began.

How will this be important? ” This program is part of an effort to create a “new vision” for security at the agency that would eliminate “disproportionately negative outcomes” for customers and employees, particularly for Black, Indigenous and other people of color, Metro spokesman Al Sanders said in an email.

Route Fifty | With Complaints Rising, Transit Agencies Search for Alternatives to Police