Unsuck DC Metro: Metro's Official Statement on L'Enfant Violence

Friday, January 7, 2011

Metro's Official Statement on L'Enfant Violence

Here's Metro's response to the L'Enfant violence last Sunday.

"The Metro Transit Police Department is seeking assistance from the public and encourages anyone who witnessed or has information about an assault at L’Enfant Plaza on Sunday, Jan. 2, about 7:15 p.m. to please call the Metro Transit Police Detective Branch at 202-962-1792.

This was an unfortunate incident and the MTPD is following up with an investigation. After the assault, the man reported it to the station manager on duty at L’Enfant Plaza who immediately notified the police. A Metro Transit Police officer responded, immediately took a report from the man and began the investigation. The victim received minor injuries and declined medical assistance.

If customers witness a fight or are the victim of an assault, they should immediately report the incident to the Metro Transit Police by calling 202-962-2121 or notify a Metro employee. Customers also can use emergency call buttons on every rail car which connect the caller to the train operator. On platforms emergency call buttons on pylons contact a station manager.

The Metro Transit Police Department will increase its patrols at L’Enfant Plaza station, and be watchful of groups of young passengers approaching other customers."

Comments (38)

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+3 Vote up Vote down

@hurricanedc · 741 weeks ago

hahahahaha what a joke

I won't feel super safe on Metro until MTPD has cops on every platform. And since they probably won't do that, I will say what I've been saying: we need a private contractor to handle security. Not some mall cops either.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Stuart · 741 weeks ago

at the very least, cops on the platforms at Chinatown and L'Enfant...go where you are needed most! It's not like some of these stations are hotbeds of criminal activity...

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@hurricanedc · 741 weeks ago

I know there are good cops in MTPD, but I don't trust the majority of them with my life let alone keeping the peace.

Ever seen American History X? The shower scene? I seriously feel like most MTPD officers would be like the prison guard who just turns a blind eye.

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@VeggieTart · 741 weeks ago

Yeah, because those random bag searches won't stop incidents like this.

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@perkinsms · 741 weeks ago

So Metro expects you to crawl to the station manager kiosk to report the issue, rather than expecting their station managers to be aware of lound fights happening inside their stations?

Nice.

I can't read these reports without thinking about "A Clockwork Orange". A little bit of the old ultra-violence, my droogs.

Maybe the fix is to pipe Ludwig Van over the PA.

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@Rizzz · 741 weeks ago

Too little, too late - the WMATA way.

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Steph · 741 weeks ago

So if I call 911 from a metro station/train, what happens? Will they not respond? Forward the call? I have the 202 number stored in my phone, but if I saw something like this, my instinct would be to dial 911, not search through my address book.

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Ever and Anon · 741 weeks ago

an UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT??? Give me a bleepin' break.

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John · 741 weeks ago

Any word on whether disciplinary action will be taken on the station managers who sat on their ass during this whole incident?

OF COURSE NOT!

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Spodieodie · 741 weeks ago

Right. The statement talks about how the station manager valiantly reported the incident to the police after the victim made it to the kiosk. It says nothing about how the station manager missed, or ignored, a major commotion in his/her station. What in the hell are all those cameras for? Why is it that they have the ability to jump on someone taking a sip of coffee IMMEDIATELY, but can't see a brawl on the platform?

Unacceptable.

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jen · 741 weeks ago

What ARE Metro's procedures for station attendants in a situation like this? Anybody know? Maybe you need a transit officer positioned at each station on the platform and more than one at other stations.

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Anonymous · 741 weeks ago

Well there were at least 15 officers with AK47's down in L'Enfant Plaza Blue and Orange line last night.

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Anonymous · 741 weeks ago

There were at least 15 uniformed officers carrying AK47's down on the Blue/Orange line platform at L'Enfant Plaza last night so at least Metro has delivered on increasing officer presence.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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@hurricanedc · 741 weeks ago

1) I call BS on there being 15 officers. And if they're not there from now until the end of crime or the Metro, it's just a bluff.

2) AK-47's? Really? lololol

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Whitney · 741 weeks ago

"The victim received minor injuries and declined medical assistance." It seems like they are trying to downplay the severity of the victim's injuries, but what good does that do anyone? If someone was reading this statement with no knowledge of the victim's account, they would think the youths just kicked him in the shin or something. I'm glad the victim wasn't more injured than he was, because after watching that video, he certainly could have been.

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Guest · 741 weeks ago

Just more blah blah blah from Metro. "Increase its patrols at L'Enfant Plaza..." Okay, what about other Metro stations? Trains? Incompetent idiots!

+12 Vote up Vote down

@edwardaggie98 · 741 weeks ago

It took Metro FIVE DAYS to issue a statement? That is FAIL.

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horseydeucey · 741 weeks ago

"On platforms emergency call buttons on pylons contact a station manager."

Everywhere? Or just in the kiosk, which happens to be deserted?

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Anon · 741 weeks ago

"immediately took a report"

Now thats Metro PD in action!!!

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UnSuck Fan · 741 weeks ago

Oh PUH-LEEZEE!!! You call this an effin’ statement????? Spare me the sanctimonious attitude and the unnecessary regurgitating of that stupid phrase “If you see something, say something sh!t!!” I heard it this morning as I was walking across the platform to wait for my train. After reading about the beating that UnSuck posted here (still too shocked and upset to comment on it), I was really annoyed and disgusted that they had the nerve to have that announcement run. I’m sorry, but WTF, are those announcements even made?? Apparently since NO ONE was willing to try to help, all those stupid announcements are just public service announcements. “This was an unfortunate incident….” No sh!t Sherlock! And if the victim died? Would that be described as “an unfortunate incident too??” I’m not asking for any stupid WMATA to put themselves and their job on the line, but how about showing a little effin’ compassion?!?! They’re just as heartless, thoughtless, and cruel as all of those people who stood by and did NOTHING!!

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Sue · 741 weeks ago

Yeah, they really have a lot of nerve to play some of those announcements. 'See something, say something.' And isn't there one that ends with something like 'we wouldn't want something to happen to you'?

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dan · 741 weeks ago

Does the whole "See it, say it" Ministry of Truth, I mean Homeland Security thing apply to these thugs that infest the stations?

STOP WASTING MAN POWER ON RANDOM BAG CHECKS, START PATROLLING THE STATIONS VIGILANTLY!

IT'S REALLY NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

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bet · 741 weeks ago

There are rules and laws in place which protect riders from this violence.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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anon · 741 weeks ago

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/civil_rights.cfm
You cannot download form, I tried, but I would file a Civil Rights Complaint asap

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dan · 741 weeks ago

"The Metro Transit Police Department will increase its patrols at L’Enfant Plaza station, and be watchful of groups of young passengers approaching other customers."

Therefore, the kids will descend in even greater numbers on Chinatown and Metro Center. Corrective measures thwarted.

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Anon · 741 weeks ago

Please don't scrutinize the truth.

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hrh king friday 13 · 741 weeks ago

"Customers also can use emergency call buttons on every rail car which connect the caller to the train operator."

O RLY????

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hug · 741 weeks ago

So WMATA, what did the attackers look like? No description? Oh well, I guess we'll never know...

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Corresponding Toads · 741 weeks ago

Guys, we can't _immediately_ blame MTPD for not being there on this one. In case you didn't read, the station manager _immediately_ notified police, and when the MTPD responded, they _immediately_ took a report. Also, if you're ever in a situation like this, you should _immediately_ do something about it. Because if action isn't _immediate_ it don't mean a thang.

Thank you MTPD for _immediately_ being there for us. _immediately_ _immediately_
_immediately_
_immediately_
_immediately_ _immediately_
_immediately_ _immediately_

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krikket · 741 weeks ago

I think Metro's definition for "immediately" is different from that of their riders.

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G.S. · 741 weeks ago

I find it sad that Metro can't protect it's riders from being attacked by kids, let alone violent terrorists.

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Cyclone · 741 weeks ago

Replace the word "assault" with "lost luggage" and the press release becomes more readable.

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Guest · 741 weeks ago

Unsurprisingly, they're issuing this statement solely because this story got into the mainstream media. What's the likelihood of them ever commenting, or reacting in any way, to this one: http://benjamintheass.blogspot.com/2011/01/fistor...

Or any other of the numerous ones that happen each week?

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Disgruntled Rider · 741 weeks ago

So I got stopped, harrassed, and fined $50 for accidently skipping the turn-style even though I swiped my Smartrip card (which had more than enough money on it) but yet a man can get his ass beat and the metro police are nowhere to be found? Great job DC Metro.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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realist · 741 weeks ago

SKIPPING THE TURNSTILE??? SOUNDS LIKE THEFT TO ME, YOU GOT WHAT YOU DESERVED!

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@TheBishopTuTu · 741 weeks ago

Metro is a joke and that's why I don't ride. Isn't the station FULL of cameras? Shouldn't the station manager have seen this going on and alerted Metro police? It seems that Metro police are always around when people are eating chips but not when people going wild in the system. Crazy!

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@Mister_Aitch · 741 weeks ago

Disgraceful effort

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JustinC · 676 weeks ago

I carry my firearm on the train/bus here, where I live.. and it's LEGAL. We still have the right to defend ourselves here. And guess what: we never have incidences like this. Fuck DC, and shitty states like it.