Reports of disorder on city streets, especially in Vancouver, raise red flags for people living in the Lower Mainland who just want to go about their daily business without a hassle.
That's the case in my house where my two young adult sons are reporting worrisome interactions as they take SkyTrain into downtown Vancouver for work.
"I could tell stories for days," said one son, who said someone carrying a syringe recently sat behind him, making him nervous for his ride back to New Westminster.
Their daily commuting routine includes people shouting or muttering randomly, ignoring common decency by dropping food on the floor (including a half-eaten piece of cheesecake) and generally being a nuisance if not actually endangering people's lives or engaging in criminal behaviour.
Their concerns made me wonder: How bad is SkyTrain in Coquitlam and Port Moody?
Are passengers regularly threatened or assaulted?
According to Freedom of Information posted online by the Transit Police, as many as 43 "crimes against persons" were reported on SkyTrain between or at stops in the Tri-Cities between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2020.
Considering that passenger numbers dropped substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic — that number is scary.
And data shows that 24 or slightly more than half of the incidents took place at or near the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station and bus loop.
With thousands of commuters using the transit system every day, that's a relatively small number.
But for witnesses and victims, the crimes can be concerning, affecting one's feeling of safety.
Here's what we know about those incidents at or near SkyTrain stops:
- Most are common assaults, although occasionally complainants report uttering threats or assault with a weapon
- There were two robberies reported and both were at Lincoln Station
- There were two reports of sexual assault, one at Coquitlam Central, the other at Burquitlam Station, one report of sexual interference (Coq. Central) and a complaint about voyeurism (Coq. Central).
The good news is that almost all the cases from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020, were closed and charges were laid in 13 cases or nearly 30 per cent.
Only two remained open while the rest were closed because of insufficient evidence or the complainant wasn't willing to press charges or take further action. In one case, Crown said there wasn't enough evidence to press charges.
This information, though worrying, gives me a bit of confidence in the system, and believe me, I need it.
There are also things we can do to take control of the situation, which could make us feel safer.
Transit Police say they will respond to incidents reported via text at 87-77-77, or call 9-1-1 if there's an emergency.
A handy web page of advice is also available online.
If you do report an incident on transit, don't forget to provide a description and in what direction the SkyTrain is moving.
Transit riders should also download the SeeSay app for iPhone or Android.
You should contact the Transit Police if:
- You have witnessed an incident or observed suspicious behaviour
- There is an issue on transit that makes you feel uncomfortable
- Or if you have other Transit Police-related concerns
An app doesn't guarantee safety but it does provide a semblance of control while taking transit in Greater Vancouver.
