ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) \u2014 On Sunday, the community came together to honor Margaret Sams-Swan, who police said died after being stabbed at the Oakland City MARTA station.<\/p>\n
There are growing calls for increased safety on MARTA trains, buses, and at stations in honor of Sams-Swan and others who have been injured or killed while riding MARTA or visiting its stations.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s start with our own community. Let\u2019s stop the violence in our own community. Let\u2019s protect our women and children,\u201d said one community member at the candlelight vigil for Margaret Sams-Swan.<\/p>\n
Dozens of community members gathered at Oakland City Station on Sunday for a vigil and rally calling for a safer MARTA system and an end to violence. Police said 25-year-old John Elijah Matthews allegedly fatally stabbed 66-year-old Margaret Sams-Swan at the station.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we can\u2019t be silenced right now. Ms. Margaret fought. Can you imagine?\u201d said another community member at the vigil.<\/p>\n
\u201cWords will never explain what that felt like,\u201d said Shanae Sams, daughter of Margaret Sams-Swan. \u201cBut we think of all the good memories. My mom was a sweet person. She helped anybody she could. She had a heart of gold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recent violent attacks on MARTA have sparked fierce criticism. Sams said she would like to see officers assigned to every train car.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should walk between the cars to make sure everything is safe,\u201d Sams said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, way more security,\u201d added Wynecia Patterson, who frequently rode MARTA and regularly saw Sams-Swan.<\/p>\n
Patterson said she often encountered Sams-Swan while riding MARTA, especially at the Oakland City station.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was so sweet. She didn\u2019t do anything to anybody. She didn\u2019t deserve this,\u201d Patterson said. \u201cIt hurts me to know it was one of our elderly women. But to know it was someone I dearly loved, talked to, and had conversations with \u2014 someone who helped me with my own problems sometimes \u2014 it crushed me. I\u2019m not okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
In preparation for FIFA matches beginning June 15 in Atlanta, MARTA said it is adding up to 150 officers, including transit officers from Denver. MARTA also said officers will work extended shifts on match days.<\/p>\n
Patterson said additional long-term measures are needed and suggested installing metal detectors at fare gates.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of trying to build new trains and get new MARTA cards, they need to be putting safety measures in place,\u201d Patterson said. \u201cThey should spend their money wisely instead of spending it on things that don\u2019t really matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
The calls for action come as MARTA faces a federal investigation into its spending and safety protocols. While several people said they welcome the inquiry, they are also urging individuals to change their behavior.<\/p>\n
\u201cY\u2019all just stop the violence, please. It\u2019s enough,\u201d Patterson said. \u201cWe\u2019re tired of getting phone calls saying our family members are dying \u2014 our aunts, our uncles, our sisters, our brothers. We\u2019re tired of all these random tragedies happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first World Cup match in Atlanta is scheduled for June 15.<\/p>\n
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