Escalators are Hard to Maintain, but who can Screw Up Stairs?

From Matt:

The "closed" stairs at Branch Avenue. The best part is that I lifted up the cones, etc - looked up for a leak, or overhead work - any reason why they would need to close that side of the stairs. There were absolutely none. Note the scissor gate at the top of the stairs, too. Oh boy. People don't realize how much maintenance stairs apparently need.

Other items:
Another alleged mob attack on Metro (NBC Washington)