Three lieutenants and two officers from the Phoenix Police Department gathered along with Valley Metro’s chief safety and security officer for the Feel Safe, Ride Safe: Light Rail Safety Forum.
The event was held in the Walter Cronkite School building and sponsored by the College of Public Programs, but it was intended for all Taylor Place residents, said Amanda Bowling, the College of Public Programs’ coordinator for student-success initiatives.
College of Public Programs freshmen pointed to the light rail as one of their biggest concerns at ASU, which prompted the forum, Bowling said.
The forum drew a small crowd: nine students, mostly freshmen, and several ASU staff members.
Lt. Adrian Ruiz with the Phoenix Police Transit Enforcement Unit said even a small group of students was significant and a much better turnout than when they tried to put together the forum three years ago and no students attended.
A couple of the students asked questions or shared stories, but the majority of the forum was occupied by the Police Department and Valley Metro staff speaking about their services and safety tips.
Valley Metro’s chief safety and security officer, Gardner Tabon, highlighted the light rail’s intercom system that allows riders to communicate directly with the train operator if they are uncomfortable with the train’s environment.
He said each train has six of the intercom buttons.
“We realize it’s not very discreet,” Tabon said. “But in certain circumstances it can really work to your advantage.”
Tabon also spoke about the light rail’s current security force of approximately 50 people and said Valley Metro will be increasing the force soon to have 12 full-time positions.
Additionally, Valley Metro is researching a technology that would allow passengers to text or send photo alerts to personnel when there is an issue on the train, Tabon said.
She gave the analogy of riding an airplane to helping students understand how to keep safe.
“When you board an airplane, what is the first thing they make you go over? Your exits, what you have in front of you, available to you — someone points that out to you,” she said.
Unlike on an airplane, where safety features are made clear, public-transit passengers must have a sense of responsibility, Ruiz said.
She said riders should always look for the number of the train they are on and be aware of where the train is located at all times so that they can easily relay such information to police if a problem occurs, Ruiz said.
If there is ever an unsafe situation on the train or a rider feels uncomfortable, “the biggest thing is (to) remove yourself from the hazards,” Ruiz said. “When the doors open, I want you to get out.”
She advised students not to tune out by having headphones on, texting or working on a laptop.
“When you get on (the train), you’re going to check the train and look who’s in there. Make eye contact with everybody. You’re paying attention and they go, ‘Well, that’s not an easy target. She’s paying attention, she’s with friends, she’s not tuning out.’”
Criminal justice and criminology freshman Zachary Waterhouse said the information shared at the forum needs to get out to more students.
Waterhouse recounted a ride on the light rail in which another ASU student came and sat with him in order avoid another passenger.
“A lot of people don’t know what to do in uncomfortable situations in public,” he said.
In reference to uncomfortable interactions with other riders, Tabon said, “You’re not always going to be comfortable … it’s a public system, and that means everyone gets to ride.”
Ruiz advised the students to deal with such encounters by making eye contact, taking control and making the decision to leave.
She said students’ concerns give the Police Department the opportunity to possibly redeploy their resources or better understand what areas need to be targeted.
The lieutenants and officers outlined the resources available to riders for reporting any safety issues.
For immediate emergencies, riders should call 911.
To report a crime that is not in progress, such as vandalism, or a suspicious person, riders can call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151.
For concerns and questions regarding the light rail, riders can call Valley Metro’s customer service at 602-253-5000.
Contact the reporter at mpado@asu.edu
