Yesterday, on Twitter, I said… Arpaio's "Con Rail" trips make for an interesting media frenzy… You know he hates the attention, right? The responses were immediate and were opinionated. Today, I discussed the idea with a friend who use to work for a Colorado County Sherriff's department and had picked up prisoners from the airport. Never once did they pay for parking. He said he does't think it is a good idea to use the light rail for carrying prisoners. "That is an accident waiting to happen."
Today, Metro issued this release concerning the transportation of prisoners on the light rail line.
For immediate release
January 28, 2009
METRO concerned with the Sherriff’s Office new inmate transportation plan
PHOENIX — Since yesterday’s announcement by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to transport inmates on light rail, METRO has received passenger feedback expressing concern for their personal and family safety.
METRO’s goal is to provide a safe, secure and reliable journey for its passengers. Any situation that creates concern for passengers and discourages ridership is of great concern to METRO.
The METRO light rail vehicle, much like any public transit vehicle, is not a controlled environment and not designed for this application. Transporting inmates using public transportation is not a common practice nationally and has not occurred locally on the Valley’s bus system.
It is anticipated that the METRO Board of Directors will consider a resolution requesting the Sherriff’s Office to reconsider this proposal in light of concerns expressed by Valley residents. METRO would welcome an opportunity to discuss with the Sherriff’s Office better solutions that meet everyone’s needs.
This is ridiculous. I can see some sort of discreet, no other option type of thing, but this is scary. What kind of criminals? Violent offenders? Drug offenders?
This is a publicity stunt, plain and simple. I hate that our state keeps electing this moron. WIse up people!
I don’t see how using the Light Rail to move prisoners can be looked at as the best use of public resources. The person in question is a prisoner. They will need to be secured by an armed police officer. They will be transported on a train with 100’s of other members of the public. That prisoner will 99 times out of 100, just sit there and try to avoid being seen, but that other 1 time in 100, will quite possibly make a big scene, or worse, attempt something untoward. It’s just not good, and completely inappropriate.
Tyler, Steve… Thanks for the great input!
Yes, this may be a publicity stunt. But, let’s not forget, this is politics – plain and simple. Metro has worked very hard to bring the light rail to Phoenix (Mesa and Tempe) and it’s not likely they will “allow” anything to happen that will tarnish their reputation or this endeavor.
I kind of like the idea of parading the criminals around in public. It’s kind of like the old days getting thrown in the stocks.
Hrm… is the negative reaction here part of the NIMBY movement of a decade ago?
But let’s be reasonable: the reason I read for Joe’s comments were to save parking fees. And that begs the question:
WTF?
Are they using valet? Exactly why is the Sheriff’s office paying to park when they transfer prisoners? The excuse itself rings hollow, and I think we should focus on that rather than the knee-jerk NOMLR (Not On My Light Rail) reactions.
Don’t get me wrong: I see plenty of bad in ConRail. Plenty of humor, too. But I think we’re following the wrong path. Point out the idiocy of the reason, not the possible implications of the plan.
Evo, I do agree with you. In fact, the point you make is exactly why I added the part about the (Colorado) parking in the post. It just sounds fishy. The airport said in a statement they don’t charge them to park. I just find the situation a little odd…
it is no different than air marshals transporting by air.