Con-Rail
Light Rail is turning out to be a disaster of epic proportions. First, the honor system was implemented. That means you are being asked to pay for the ride, but you will likely not be checked to see if you actually paid for the ticket. Next was the slogan for light rail, “Look around or you’ll be in the ground,” and “this rail don’t seem so light when it’s running u over!” I TEASE! Anyway….the other issue is that there are no bathrooms for you to use when you arrive at your destination.
I could deal with all of the above, but what we found out today was a deal breaker for me. I will not be riding the light rail. Sheriff Joe Arpaio will begin transporting inmates on the Valley’s new light rail system. Who wants to ride a train with a convicted criminal?! I can see it now….The next time I get on “con-rail,” I’ll be saying “hey, isn’t that the serial shooter?” Will I have to ask the Baseline Killer, “is the seat next to you taken?”
Back to the issue of where to go to the bathroom on light rail, most people get off at their stop and run into a local bar or restaurant to “take care of business,” but what about the convicts in the pink underwear? Will they also be “taking care of business” at the nearby Denny’s? I could be standing at a urinal right next to a convicted ax-murder!
Forget about the safety issues of having criminals on light rail with the everyday citizens. Forget about the fact that little kids will be riding the train with their parents. Forget about safety. Forget about the possibility someone on the ‘outside’ could duct tape a weapon under the seat for a prisoner that was being transferred on light rail. Forget about all of that. Sheriff Joe apparently has.
Gaydos
just a couple gripes…… first, other cities with similar light rail systems use the honor system. Portland has a very successful light rail that uses the honor system, just to name one.
second, people have been riding the bus for years, with NO restroom facilities at the stops… and have you ever seen a public restroom?? They are disgusting and people are always vandalizing them. I know I would rather not have my tax money wasted on something like that. Grow up and take care of your business before you get on the rail! Is it really that hard?
and the transporting of criminals…. that is tougher, but what would you do if the state was cutting your budget? It makes sense to use something that tax payers are already paying for to transport them….. plus, you ahve probably already been on an airplane with a criminal being transported and you had no idea.
gaydos…. you “roll” like a big baby!
I totally agree with all Ginger’s points. Besides, there are criminals everywhere you go anyway - you just don’t know they’re criminals because they haven’t been caught! Right? Gaydos, you know you won’t ride the rail anyway because you’re a germaphobe (is there a correct spelling for that word?) and every public transport is loaded with every germ imaginable. You could probably get mad-cow disease on a bus!
Have you ever thought about how many “criminals” you are already in contact with…they just haven’t been caught yet, which is even more dangerous. I’m pretty sure the criminals being transported will be reminded to “go before they leave home”…like you should do. Thank you for NOT “rolling” with me on the light rail.
First off I would like to say I respect your opinions Gaydos love how you tell it. Second these females have no clue what they are talking about. Criminals no matter what the crime need to be transported in a safe and secure mode of transportation. Like you said what if they have a weapon planted on the train, there are crafty people out there and whats to stop somebody from pickin a cuff getting to that weapon If it were that planned out and taking them or somebody else hostage and creating a situation that could have been avoidable. I know there are criminals everywhere but why share a space with somebody that could be possibly criminally insane if we dont have to. I feel Arpaio is just using his political clout to do what he wants, forget the cost at this point lets think about safety for once.
Gaydos,
A bathroom on the light rail? Does that really sound logical to you? Just take a look at the overall design, a bathroom would not even fit into the specs of the light rail. If we are going to put bathrooms on the light rail we might as well put them on the side of freeways too. You never know when the urge will come when you are in the middle on the I-10 right? In fact lets put bathrooms on city buses too.Also riding with handcuffed criminals doesent sound very relaxing to me. However, just think of all the criminals who are free to do as they please who are on the light rail,city bus,walking down the street, or even driving on the street. No restraints there right? The solution is this, be aware of your surroundings,be prepared for anything, and most of all don’t be a dope.
I’m sure Joe would have the inmates on a separate car. The cons wouldn’t be on the same car as the public. Also, how often would this happen? I don’t think this would be such a big deal.
bathrooms make a lot of sense on the light rail but think about the state and city itself are in a lot of debt taxes are high and there arent enough people that will support the idea. hte idea makes sense but the logic eh not so much. criminals would freak the crap out of me on the light rail as well.
People People People~~ Cons on the rail? Thats your worry?? How many times do you go to clinics for a Doctors Appt.? Or the Emergency Room. There are hundreds of State Prisoners that go there also for health services. The Dept. of Corrections and the sheriffs Dept. and police dept. are well trained to care for the welfare of all of you paranoid people. Make a list of how many people were found in a life and death situation when a prisoner was being escorted !!!!! NONE~~~ Get over it. We have the best Law Enforcement Officers in all branches in Arizona !! Don’t want a prisoner on your rail trip? Get off and wait for the next train!
Gaydos,
What’ the big deal about bathrooms on the light rail? People have been riding city buses city buses for years with no bathrooms and trolley cars with no bathrooms before that. Why do we suddenly need them now? It’s like air travel, you have to plan.
Andy
Gaydos, maybe if the Sheriff’s office wasnt spending millions of our tax dollars paying out wrongful death settlements, they wouldnt have to come up with so many crazy ideas to save us money. Perhaps they should look at running their jails better so that inmates dont die and they could afford to park at the airport.
I agree with the Amy and Ginger. lets say Gaydos gets on the train at the Mesa stop at Sycamore. The train says it takes 40 min. to get to downtown. Gaydos says, “OMG!! Could I hold my pee that long??? Oh heavens!! What will i do?” Yes, you can little Gaydos. i watched my friends, myself and “three little boys” standing in the isle make it all the way to Central Ave. Ginger, lets say it together now, “Grow up and take care of your business before you get on the rail!!!” if you can’t wait 40 minutes, that sounds like a trip to the doctor. i really enjoyed my first ride with friends, and it was jammed with Monster Jam attendees…