All Portlanders have probably heard about the recent attacks on MAX trains. In all of the recent instances, there was never a true ‘motive’ for those victims to be attacked; they were at the wrong place at, unfortunately, the wrong time.
With these attacks happening recently, you’re probably asking yourself, “Well, if I ride the MAX, how can I go about making sure I’m safe?” Here are some tips you can use to make sure you’re riding with no fear:
- Ride with a buddy. I typically ride during work “rush hours” but I know if my fiancee ever wants to ride later at night, I’ll always accompany her.
- Know where the ‘contact the operator’ intercoms are. If you feel like something fishy is going on, it’s best to contact the operator so that individual can contact transit police instead of confronting it yourself.
- If you have a purse, make sure you have it secured in your lap around an arm. Don’t just place it on your lap; loop it around your forearm a bit to make sure it can’t be easily swiped.
- Don’t listen to music when riding late at night. This can make you more aware of any situations. Of course, listen to it if you feel you’re in a seat where you’re able to survey all around you; if you’re not in this position, however, listening to music could make you an unsuspecting victim.
- Pick the best seat. If you’re feeling unnerved, don’t sit down where your back is to the rest of the train; choose a seat where you’re able to look around.
Those are some tips that can help you be more aware & safe when riding the MAX. Anyone else have any tips they’d like to share?
4 comments ↓
Good advice. I rode Max home late at night for several years- usually between 9:30 and 11:30pm. MAX was kind of a “wild west” even several years ago during those hours.
I didn’t ride with a “buddy” that late, but sitting close to other riders is a good alternative.
The best advice you gave is to sit near the rear of the train car so you can see who’s on the train with you. There’s also less chance of being surprised from behind.
At night, use the reflections in the windows to watch suspicious behavior. Don’t look directly at troublemakers- watch them via the window reflection. This works like a charm.
If you are verbally confronted, stay calm! Staying calm is essential. A little humor goes a long way. If you can show you’re not afraid, that’s 99% of the battle.
Staying calm, deflecting threatening language with a little humor, worked well with me, and I’m a guy. Trust me- the teenage toughs especially, they’re looking for a weak person to go after. Their attention span is short, even in a group. Stay confident and don’t show fear, they’ll move on to someone else.
I was never involved in a physical confrontation, but came close once at the Lloyd Center station when some gangsta wannabees suggested I “give them” my backpack. I said I didn’t think that was a good idea, a stare down ensued, very tense. But they walked on. I think I was very lucky. Three of them, one of me. But I was prepared to defend myself if I had to.
My wife took a Womenstrength self defense course several years ago and it did wonders for her confidence level when taking the bus, walking downtown, etc. I highly recommend taking some sort of self defense class if you take public transit or have to be downtown after normal business hours.
There have been too many examples over the last 20+ years of the failure of Tri-Met to provide adequate security. Don’t trust them to take care of you when trouble happens on MAX or the bus. Learn to take care of yourself.
I try to ride in the center of the train when I’ve taken the MAX at night. That way at least you have two sets of doors to escape to instead of one.
Excellent suggestions Reality & Kevin! ALWAYS scope out where the intercoms are and in an urgent situation don’t hestiate to activate one. This will allow us to contact help immediately. I also especially like the reflections in the glass…this way you’re watching without watching…
If you experience an unsafe or threatening incident, report it to Tri-Met at 503;238-7433 (238-Ride). This will create a statistical CSI and also be forwarded to the Security/Safety supervisor. I suspect that many incidents go unreported, giving us a false sense that we are doing a great job.
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