'Addicts, crooks, thieves': the campaign to kill Baltimore's light rail

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

‘Addicts, crooks, thieves’: the campaign to kill Baltimore's light rail

Residents of a progressive and wealthy county claim public transport has brought city crimes to their area – and are fighting to have it closed

Lucia Graves in Glen Burnie, Maryland
Wed 22 Aug 2018 11.30 BST

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The Hahns had moved to the working/middle-class suburb seeking a quiet, safe environment away from the crime and strife of Baltimore, 10 miles away. But, like many in the neighbourhood, they say the city’s woes have seeped into the area via public transport. Specifically, they believe criminals are coming into the suburbs by light rail.

Data does not bear that out, but that hasn’t stopped some residents from campaigning for the service, which started 25 years ago, to be reduced. The Hahns have just returned from a protest demanding the closure of a light rail stop around the corner from their home – a stop activists have linked to an increase in crime in the area.

“Looking at his rap sheet or whatever, he was from Baltimore city,” Kim said of the intruder. “He missed the light rail and had to find a place to stay, and he chose to climb our fence.”

The Anne Arundel county police confirmed the details of the Hahns’ report, but with two important discrepancies: there was nothing to link the suspect with the light rail and he wasn’t from Baltimore – he was local.

He hadn’t missed the light rail back to the city that night. He was from Anne Arundel county, just like the Hahns.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/22/addicts-crooks-thieves-the-campaign-to-kill-baltimores-light-rail

[Stuart G]

1. Public Transport does not increase crime..other factors cause crime..

Well it ain't the first lie about public transport, and it won't be the last....Yes, there are people who do not own cars, and public rail is fast, clean and inexpensive. Has been, is now, and will always be. They used to call the vehicles that are on "light rail" streetcars...no, now they are called something else. To me, a streetcar is still a streetcar, no matter what you call it...