Public fears about using public transit have risen dramatically over the last 2 years, as stories about random, and sometimes fatal attacks on passengers have been frontpage news. The streets around public transportation are no safer.
Women, seniors, people of color, and members of the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately the targets of such attacks and often find no recourse when they report such incidents to local law enforcement.
At an Ethnic Media Services briefing, Feb. 17, speakers – California state Senator David Min, who authored (SB) 434, ʻPublic Transit for All: Improving Safety & Increasing Ridership’ which was introduced in the Senate Feb. 13; Janice Li, Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President; Peter Kerre, Founder of Safe Walks NYC; and Esther Lee, who was attacked on the New York subway system – discussed new legislation addressing the safety of public transportation and the streets; policies to ensure safety on public transport; and ground level initiatives already in place. Esther Lee, a victim, shared her story of being attacked on the New York subway system.
Senator David Min from Irvine
“A good chunk of Orange County, about 20 percent of our population, is made up of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans,” began Senator David Min (D-Irvine).
“At a time when so many of our seniors, and women, and others, feel vulnerable in public spaces, we need to take steps to make sure that our public spaces particularly those that are under the jurisdiction of the government, like public transit, are safe for riders, safe for a vulnerable population.
“SB434 would require…
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