Unsuck DC Metro: They Posted the Number, but ...

Monday, December 6, 2010

They Posted the Number, but ...

This past summer, in response to public pressure, Metro began posting the telephone number for Metro Transit Police in prominent places throughout the system. Given a spike in crime, particularly the theft of electronic items, it was widely seen as a smart move.

Thing is, what use is the number if no one is there to answer calls?

From Eric:

While waiting for the Green Line, at Gallery Place-Chinatown, at 10 p.m. on Saturday night, I saw a guy get his iPhone stolen.

The thief brazenly ripped the phone out of the victim's hand in front of dozens of onlookers, yelled some profanity at the victim and then walked away.

I tried to call the Transit Police on the number they list (202-962-2121), but no one answered the phone!

Is this a common problem?

I mean I know it's not 911, but I feel like there should be an operator there to answer calls.

Perhaps you or some of your readers could shed some light on the situation, but I for one, am a little disturbed that no one answers when I call the Transit Police.

The end result of this story is that the thief got away. They'll likely strike again, and it feels like riders are on our own for protection since the Transit Police are incompetent at best.

Other items:
More 8-car trains will have to wait (Examiner)

Comments (21)

Logging you in...

Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout

Logged in as

-13 Vote up Vote down

Corresponding Toads · 750 weeks ago

Piddle with your iPhone/iPod/Blackberry/whatever on the Metro... and that's what you get. You might as well be holding a couple hundred dollar bills in your hand, 'cuz in the thief's eyes, that's all they see.

Be aware of your surroundings, else your surroundings STEAL YOUR SMART PHONE.

As for Metro police not at their own phones, you can expect some improved service after the next fare hike.

Happy Monday to all!

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

@kara_h · 750 weeks ago

Umm ... I thought we were supposed to get better service with THIS one? I don't know about you, but when I pay more for something I do not expect it to be the same item that I got a few decades ago with the only change being the quality having gone downhill in the meantime.

+5 Vote up Vote down

VeggieTart · 750 weeks ago

Nice blaming the victim here.

-9 Vote up Vote down

Corresponding Toads · 750 weeks ago

I once had my arm bitten off while I knowingly swam in shark-infested waters. I really shouldn't blame myself, though. ;)

+6 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 750 weeks ago

I have as many beefs with Metro as the next person but, I have to confess, the one time I called that number, the response was very quick. I stored the number on my cell phone at some point, in case I ever had reason to call. One morning a couple of months ago, there was an equipment cabinet door on my train that kept opening and closing (with a bang on each end) as the train lurched in the way that they do on manual control. So I called it in as we pulled into National Airport. Within seconds after we stopped, a guy came on the car (I could see the car number from my seat and reported it when I called in) and started working on the closet door. The train left the airport without delay and the guy kept working. It took him about two stops to fix it and he left the train at Pentagon City. That time, at least, there was (1) someone there to answer the phone, and (2) someone near the train to take action quickly. And they were both polite and helpful.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

-7 Vote up Vote down

Corresponding Toads · 750 weeks ago

A likely story.

Not.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Adam · 750 weeks ago

I once left my wallet on a train. I told the station manager and he had a guy on the maintenance crew walk through the train when it got to the end of the line. Although it took them a week to email me that they had found it, I did get my wallet back, and it even had cash still in it.

Every once in a while, Metro can get something right.....

+1 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 750 weeks ago

I found someone's id badge and SmartTrip card in Union Station last week. I turned it into the station manager. Hope the guy who lost it gets it back.

+15 Vote up Vote down

· 750 weeks ago

As this blog has pointed out many times, Metro spends a lot of money (Homeland Security grants) on gimmicky safety theater when what they really need is more cops walking the beat and someone to answer the phone!

-3 Vote up Vote down

Megan · 750 weeks ago

That seems like a misuse of the phone number - the Transit Police phone number should be used for crime issues, not maintenance issues. I'm surprised anything happened.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

Yeah · 750 weeks ago

Or maybe it worked precisely because Metrocops could pass it on to someone else. If they actually had to respond, you'd get nothing.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 750 weeks ago

uh.. but the beginning of this chat was a crime issue going unanswered. I could see some maintenance issues putting someone at risk would qualify as worthy of calling.

+6 Vote up Vote down

DMCinDC · 750 weeks ago

I called one morning at about 10:30 am on redline from Glenmont to DC, because a guy got on at Brookland and immediately leaned into people standing and over people sitting, being extremely aggressive about asking for money. It went beyond begging. NOBODY ANSWERED THEIR PHONE LINE. I called three times and each time it just rang and rang and rang. USELESS... completely useless.

+5 Vote up Vote down

William · 750 weeks ago

I called Metro Transit Police once to complain about a beggar on a train. It rang, and rang, and rang for at least two minutes before someone picked up. Good thing it wasn't an emergency!

+4 Vote up Vote down

Anon Everly · 750 weeks ago

Well there goes my plan. I got one of those cards a couple of months ago; handed out at the station by the transit cops. Saved the card, added the number to my cell trying to be a good person. Guess I can delete that number now and hope to rely on 911 as usual.

+2 Vote up Vote down

GlenmontGirl · 750 weeks ago

It is not appropriate that they would not answer the phone. With this kind of service, there needs to be someone covering the line at all times - bathroom breaks, coffee runs, etc. are not viable excuses for something like this.

However, this is one of the reasons I love my four-year-old silver Motorola Razr - no one else wants it, so it probably won't get stolen :-)

+3 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 750 weeks ago

Concerning the 8 car trains, this is another ploy to inconvenience the riders to ask for more money.
This is a gimmick Metro has been using ever since GM White. He would agree to 4 car trains to inconvenience the riders. (Just to get what he wanted.)

Metro was forwarded money for Escalators over 5 years ago so they cannot ask for more money for that department so> they now want to use another ploy.
Anyone in Finance at Metro ever thought of balancing the existing budget and cut salaries?

+1 Vote up Vote down

Vanessa · 750 weeks ago

That phone number is a joke. I called last week about a Metro employee showing off his Tazer at Southern Ave. When you call that number, you reach a totally ignorant woman who knows nothing -- you're not really calling the Transit Police. She has to give you another number to call them directly. So basically if she doesn't think your call warrants police attention, you won't get through to the Transit Police.

+6 Vote up Vote down

Jonathan · 749 weeks ago

Soooo I'm almost 100% positive this article is about me...my iPhone was stolen out of my hands at 10pm on Saturday in Chinatown and the reason I took my phone out of my pocket is bc my sister was calling about my grandfathers funeral the next day...I guess I should ignore my instinct to pick up a ringing phone next time to avoid having my phone stolen. Heaven forbid I think I can pick up my phone.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

Loxybrown · 749 weeks ago

Sorry, Jonathan, about your phone getting stolen. And while it's even worse that you were calling about a family emergency, I think it's crappy to blame a victim (even if you were calling to order a pizza). I hope the sitch has resolved itself.

0 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 749 weeks ago

Guess this number given is useless then, yet more burgeoning crime uncontrolled by a death-spiraling Metro: http://www.welovedc.com/2010/12/10/metro-employee...