MBTA Looks To End Assaults On Employees

By The Associated Press May 6, 2013

BOSTON — The MBTA says it is taking steps to protect its workers against assault.

MBTA's PSA On Employee Assault:

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a letter Monday to T employees that the agency plans to place more video cameras on buses and is looking into the possibility of installing partitions that would separate drivers from passengers.

The T is also unveiling bus cards and decals along with a public service announcement that warns of serious consequences for anyone who lays a hand on a T employee. Officials are asking the Legislature to toughen the penalties for assaulting transit workers.

Scott cited one recent incident in which a group of teens flagged down a bus and assaulted the driver. Two of the alleged attackers were later arrested and the victim is recovering.

http://profiles.google.com/barry.kort Barry Kort

What is motivating hooligans to attack transit personnel?
- BW
  
  Because they are hooligans. These attacks seem to be occurring over being asked to pay the fare. The attack on the driver of the 16 came out of nowhere. That group of kids just waited for a bus and rushed the driver. I hope you don’t mean to imply the victims of these attacks had it coming or provoked them in some way.
  - http://profiles.google.com/barry.kort Barry Kort
    
    Russia, back in the Soviet era, had a lot of trouble with hooliganism, while the phenomenon was rare in the US.
    
    Now we seem to have an epidemic of hooliganism.
    
    What is generating an increase on the population of disgruntled individuals who are demonstrating their disgruntlement by engaging in hooliganism?

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