The San Diego trolley system is unsafe, having ineffective onboard security. I witnessed a violent assault on Sept. 11, when one angered passenger struck and physically ejected an unruly passenger from the car. Such incidents, though usually less violent, are common in my experience.
A recent New York Times opinion piece describes a similar event in a New York subway that resulted in the death of a young man suffering from mental illness. Passengers aren’t likely to ask probing questions when they’re being threatened. A crowded trolley car provides a nearly risk-free stage for people to play out their aggressions.
I also witnessed a large-scale MTS security operation at the Santa Fe Depot station on July 1, involving passenger grilling and detentions. One officer commented, “Sweep of force.” Who is MTS kidding?
— John F. Boles, San Diego