Article: Rail stations safe: commuter advocate

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Rail stations safe: commuter advocate

Rail stations safe: commuter advocate
COURTNEY TRENWITH
July 23, 2010 - 4:02PM

South East Queensland rail commuters need not fear for their safety despite two similar, random stabbings on train platforms, a rail commuters group says.

Commuters were safer on trains than in the general community, Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow told brisbanetimes.com.au.

Mr Dow said two unprovoked knife attacks at inner-Brisbane rail stations this year, including one last night, could not have been prevented because they were ''freak-like''.

An 18-year-old was allegedly approached by a man and stabbed in the stomach while waiting for a train at Fortitude Valley about 9pm yesterday.

Patrick Esrim Murray, 26, has been charged with attempted murder and remanded in custody.

In March, a man came up behind a commuter at Roma St station and ran a blunt kitchen knife across his throat, causing a superficial cut.

Mr Dow said the incidents were out of the ordinary.

''The actual crime rate on rail is lower than in the general community,'' Mr Dow said.

''[Because] you've got a concentration of people, particularly in the major rail stations.

''The freak-like incident last night highlights the fact it was at a train station, but human assaults happen in the wider community in the same timeframe.''

Mr Dow said he had not received complaints from commuters concerned about safety at Brisbane train stations.

''There is some concern with behaviour on trains after hours but [not] at the station,'' he said.

''We think QR is fairly focused on safety and a sign of that is the development of the real-time, on board surveillance system. The beauty of that is, ... if someone reports a problem [for example] on the second carriage on a train to Ipswich, they're able to zoom straight in on that.

''I don't think anyone can predict anyone - [the man accused of last night's stabbing] could have been in Queen Street Mall and done the same thing. It's very hard to say it's a rail safety issue.''

Mr Dow said he felt ''generally comfortable'' with QR's security efforts, particularly security guards on all Friday and Saturday night trains.

''That demonstrates a real commitment to on board security,'' he said.

How to improve your rail safety

Mr Dow said commuters also could take steps to improve their safety:

    * Time your arrival at a rail station to five minutes before your train is due to limit the potential for trouble

    * Wait in ''safety areas'', which are marked with blue lines and include panic buttons and direct camera surveillance

    * Sit in a centre carriage next to the guard, particularly after hours

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Teen stabbed 'without warning' at Valley train station

[p858snake]

I wonder what the police response times are like for Roma street just out of interest, since it is normally swarming with them and with the police HQ across the road.

[STB]

The scary fact for me is I was at Fortitude Valley station on the night of the attack only 1 hour prior to it happening.  In general though, I frequently use Fortitude Valley station and have had very little problems there (although you do get the odd beat up outside the station's gates).

[longboi]

I wonder what the police response times are like for Roma street just out of interest, since it is normally swarming with them and with the police HQ across the road.

Rail Squad have an office there so pretty much instantly.

[ozbob]

The problems are related to the concentration of late night venues in the Valley ...  it is not primarily a rail safety issue per se, but general lawlessness in the community.  The legal system does need to tighten up.

From the Courier Mail click here!

Security guards feel powerless while Queensland Rail's safety policy is labelled a joke

Security guards feel powerless while Queensland Rail's safety policy is labelled a joke

    * James O'Loan
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * July 26, 2010 12:00AM

QUEENSLAND Rail's safety policy is a "joke'' that endangers passengers and protects drunken yobs and vandals, a front-line worker says.

Private security guard Anthony Bradshaw claims his colleagues are powerless to stop the carnage they encounter every weekend, especially at night coming to and from Fortitude Valley train station.

He blames Queensland Rail's Zero Harm safety policy.

Mr Bradshaw said "in reality'' the policy makes subcontracted guards like him take notes and watch helplessly as drunks fight and urinate on platforms, and graffiti artists deface expensive taxpayer-funded assets.

"It's zero harm for the bad guys,'' said the SECUREcorp guard, who patrols the Valley station's platforms on weekend nights.

"The staff and customers are at huge risk to violence. You've got these trains running all night across the city with these huge groups full of p%ss and no one's allowed to harm the bad guys.''
Latest QR figures showed 1117 reports of disorderly conduct on Citytrains in 2009, with 236 reported assaults.

Last Thursday night, a man recently released from jail allegedly stabbed an 18-year-old man picked at random on the platform at Fortitude Valley train station.

The alleged offender then surrendered himself to police.

Queensland Police Union acknowledged the growing risks around the Valley station at night and called for more front-line help.

QPU president Ian Leavers also called for magistrates to deliver harsher penalties for drunken misconduct and more serious offences in the area.

"Attorney-General Cameron Dick needs to give magistrates the capabilities to reflect community sentiment for this type of alcohol-fuelled violence,'' he said.

QR repeatedly denied that its Zero Harm policy stopped its staff from physically intervening to settle disputes between passengers.

But SECUREcorp refused to discuss how physical its guards were allowed to be with troublemakers.

[p858snake]

Is this the guard that got fired for questioning QR's commitment to passenger safety?

[somebody]

Is this the guard that got fired for questioning QR's commitment to passenger safety?

How is this a sacking offence?  If there's nothing more to this, I would think he should consult a lawyer.

[p858snake]

Is this the guard that got fired for questioning QR's commitment to passenger safety?

How is this a sacking offence?  If there's nothing more to this, I would think he should consult a lawyer.

no idea, there was a segment on of those current affairs shows about it last week but i missed it, so all i know is a QR guard got sacked for questioning their commitment to passenger safety.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Translink safety plan for new transit officers labelled a 'Band-Aid' solution

Translink safety plan for new transit officers labelled a 'Band-Aid' solution

   * James O'Loan
   * From: The Courier-Mail
   * August 02, 2010 12:00AM

Translink has told The Courier-Mail 10 senior network officers are in training and will start patrolling train, bus and ferry networks across the southeast "in coming months''.

The controversial beefed-up powers were passed into law on July 1 last year through amendments to the Transport Operations (Passenger) Act 1994.

Since then, Translink has continued to "develop a dedicated training program'' and recruitment process while countless assaults have occurred across the rail network.

Included in those assaults have been two recent knife attacks, allegedly by the same man and within months of one another, at supposedly secure inner-city stations.

QR's controversial Zero Harm safety policy  which is applied in such a way that most workers are directed to watch and take notes while offenders bash passengers  was last week labelled soft by Courier-Mail readers and some QR staff.

It came after Anthony Bradshaw, a Securecorp security guard subcontracted to QR, bravely spoke out against the policy - a view moulded by helplessly watching carnage unfold in front of him on Brisbane trains this year.

Mr Bradshaw was last week stood down without pay for claiming that Zero Harm lets offenders off the hook and puts law-abiding citizens in danger.

State Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson yesterday labelled Zero Harm "zero action'' and described the decision to give just 10 transit officers beefed-up powers as "a Band-Aid solution''.

"I still believe we need more police on the network,'' she said.

"The Government has lost its way on security, which is a core business on public transport.

"It's been a long time since the legislation was passed ... and we still haven't seen a proper explanation ... it's a black hole of inaction.''

Bennett and Philp personal compensation lawyer Mark O'Connor said QR's hands-off approach to helping at-risk passengers showed a duty of care to staff but not passengers.

"If you're a guard, doesn't it mean you have to guard people?'' he said.

"QR has a duty to protect the public and I fail to see how they are fulfilling that.''

QR chief executive Paul Scurrah said the safety of his organisation's customers and staff is its "highest priority''.

He defended Zero Harm as an approach that focused on prevention but still allowed physical intervention where necessary.

My blog comment, I doubt that it will be published (later ed:  was .. )

Another poorly disguised bash at QR.  The rates of crime on trains is actually much lower than in the general community.  Rather than constantly attacking QR a realisation of the general lawlessness of society and the impact on all would be in order.  QR do much to support safety and security on the trains. The problem re the assaults  highlighted,  is that does the Courier Mail want every passenger strip searched on entering a railway station?  It is about time the Courier Mail stopped distorting reality.  Some support for public transport operators who are doing their best in face of the constant criticism by ill informed media is in order.  I suppose the Courier Mail blames the bus drivers when they are assaulted as well? Balance please.

[ozbob]

Courier Mail --> Booze is fuelling bad behaviour

LIQUOR offences across Queensland have almost tripled in the past five years, amid claims tourist, nightclub and party precincts are "out of control ...

Herein is the real issue ...

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Police Union warns against giving transit officers too much power

Police Union warns against giving transit officers too much power

    * James O'Loan
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * August 03, 2010 2:28PM

A GOVERNMENT move to unleash a new breed of transit officer armed with handcuffs and powers to search and detain rail passengers is being opposed by the Queensland Police Union.

The Courier-Mail this week revealed the Department of Transport is overseeing training of 10 transit officers for deployment in the coming months as assaults continue across the network.

"The union is not supportive of this measure," QPU president Ian Leavers said.

"Giving people who are not police certain police powers will create a legal minefield for the public and the transit officers, especially powers to detain, search and use handcuffs."

Mr Leavers called for the 54-strong police Railway Squad, which hasn't increased for at least two years, to immediately receive another six to ten staff with a total increase of 30 to be phased in.

Brisbane's 54 rail police are dwarfed by Melbourne's 250 for trains and trams; and Sydney's 600 Railcorp transit officers armed with batons and handcuffs, which are complemented by dedicated police transport units.

Brisbane has also 110 transit officers without search and detain powers and 90 private security guards that critics have claimed are virtually powerless to intervene while offences are committed.

Sydney's Railcorp claimed since its 600 officers appeared in 2002, offences against the person have dropped 30 per cent.

Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts said he supported the pending introduction of 10 new transit officers, who will patrol trains, buses and ferries.

"Transit officers work in partnership with police," Mr Roberts said.

"They play an important role in enhancing the safety and security of our public transport network."

State Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson has blasted the 10 new transit officers as a ``Band-Aid solution'' and backed the union's call for more rail police.

[somebody]

Transit Officers don't have power of arrest?  That's just stupid.

CityRail got rid of security for TOs with that power because of all these reasons.

[colinw]

I'm interested in hearing how many people on here have experienced a "security threat" or "incident" on a station or train.

I have twice in 21 years of living in greater Brisbane.

The first time was in 1992 when I lived at Bundamba.  I was on a late night Ipswich Line service back home on a Saturday night after going to a concert at Boondall.  A brawl broke out in the front carriage just as we were leaving Riverview.  The train stopped at Ebbw Vale, doors locked (so us locked IN with the brawl!), for about 10 minutes until the police attended.  The police entered via the driver's cab, arrested the participants, and we were on our way about 15 minutes late.  They did not take statements from anyone else on the train.  That was the last time my then girlfriend ever rode the trains outside peak hour - she insisted on driving if going out at night after that.

The second time was about 3 years ago.  Late night Beenleigh line service home from going to a concert at QPAC.  A very drunk and aggressive person started hassling other passengers.  TOs "firmly suggested" he leave the train, which occurred at Moorooka.  As the train left, he thumped the window from outside and yelled "I'm f***ing going to kill someone tonight".  I would NOT have liked to be waiting for a train at Moorooka with him on the platform.

I have never been hassled at a station, or seen any incident at a station, although I did yell at a kid with a rattle can of paint once.

I have, however, been hassled more than once in the Queen St Mall, in the valley, and once - oddly- in a park at Wynnum.  In general I feel safer on a train or at a station than when out at night in the city.

In 21 years, that's it, and I tend to use the system a lot outside of peak hours for discretionary travel (sports events, etc.).

cheers,
Colin

[Golliwog]

The worst I've ever had personally was catching a train home home from Riverfire last year it was a crowded train and we were stuffed in with a group of inconsiderate and rude teens who were swearing a lot and thought they were the bees knees. Although my friends sister was beaten and robbed last year on a Ferny Grove train between Keperra and FG. A bit hazy on the details but I think they found the culprits later.