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Bus patrons: Young riders are problem

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Dec 28, 2007 12:00 AM (255 days ago) by Stephen Janis, The Examiner
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
Bus patrons in Baltimore say they feel save, despite a rash of violent attacks and a shooting in recent weeks. Young people, they say, are the problem.
(File photo)
Bus patrons in Baltimore say they feel save, despite a rash of violent attacks and a shooting in recent weeks. Young people, they say, are the problem.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The day after a shooting on a city bus added to a string of violent incidents involving mass transit in Baltimore, many bus riders said they felt safe despite the headlines.

“I find it to be safe,” said city resident Stephen Sepko, 36, as he rode the city’s No. 8 bus uptown on Thursday.

“I haven’t seen very much violence,” said fellow passenger Terry Estrada, 42. “I’ve seen some arguments and shouting but that’s it.”

“People need to be aware of their surroundings, regardless,” Dell Alston, 58, a reserve outfielder for the 1977 world champion New York Yankees said as he rode the bus home Thursday. “Disagreements do occur, but if you are courteous and aware you won’t have any problems.”

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“It’s only dangerous when the bus is crowded and people are pushing and shoving,” said 19-year-old Shakia Briggs.

Early Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg after a dispute between two groups of juveniles escalated on the No. 15 bus near the Poppleton neighborhood.

Earlier this month on buses, two groups of teens were kicked off for brawling, a middle-school girl was stabbed in the arm while fighting with other youths, and five men attacked two other male passengers. In the most severe case, nine middle schoolers allegedly beat a female passenger, leaving her with serious injuries. Several students charged claim they were not involved and others said the woman and her companion instigated the fight.

Last week, Maryland Transit Administration officials extended the jurisdiction of city police and school police to include buses, and vowed the three agencies would share information daily on fights, drugs, gangs and school closings. MTA also plans to hand over video footage of unruly student passengers to schools.

And while many passengers echoed sentiments of their fellow riders that city buses were essentially safe, all seem to agree that if problems did occur, they usually involved younger riders.

“It’s the kids,” Lynette Adams, 45, said as she rode the No. 8 to the Inner Harbor. “There’s been a lot of violence with younger riders, they need plainclothes officers on the bus to catch them.”

“The moral values of children have declined,” said Shirley Gray, 55, a teacher’s aide who said she rides the bus occasionally.

“It just a matter of respecting their elders,” said construction worker Thomas Smith, 49, after disembarking a downtown bus on his way home.

“I’ve been riding the bus for 30 years with no problem, but this new generation is something else.”

Examiner Staff Writer Kelsey Volkmann contributed to this story

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

9:31 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 5, 2008 re: "Attorney urges MTA to address Taxi Access rules"

 Examiner Reader said:
I am a Disability Advocate and a member of Taxi Access and I agree with you. Was a very good article. Camilo Quintero

 Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

4:53 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 5, 2008 re: "Attorney urges MTA to address Taxi Access rules"

 richard f said:
I have friends who use their bus for wheel chairs and the are very unrealiable.Most of the time they are late picking them up.They should NOT have to put up with this.Please look into this as well.

 Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
6:11 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "State will replace bus fleet with 500 hybrids"

 Examiner Reader said:
Owemalley must be in with the owner of the company!! How much graft did he make today.

 Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
4:37 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "State will replace bus fleet with 500 hybrids"

 Examiner Reader said:
Forget the buses and get 500 new police offercers.O-molley is goofy!

 Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
3:26 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "State will replace bus fleet with 500 hybrids"

 Examiner Reader said:
keep the old buses. replace yo'malley and his flunky anthony brown.

 Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
1:50 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail"

 Examiner Reader said:
Wow! Free rides on the MTA! That's like winning an all expense paid vacation to the landfill!

 76 agree | 92 disagree
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10:32 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail"

 #3 Sheppard Pratt Rider said:
It is a known fact that the farebox is usually broken. The farebox won't accept wrinkle or worn dollar bills. And, the bus is late or don't show up.

 82 agree | 77 disagree
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10:31 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail"

 Examiner Reader said:
Interesting. Years ago as a contractor I managed the Farebox Repairs as a rep of the company that sold the system to MTA. They decided they didn't need that representation and got rid of our contract. Good to see how well they have been doing.

 83 agree | 81 disagree
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8:19 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "Bus patrons: Young riders are problem"

 Examiner Reader said:
What do you expect? "Youths" can't be prosecuted for criminal acts in Maryland. You fools voted for the Liberals who protect the children criminals. Stop whinning.

 84 agree | 75 disagree
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8:17 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail"

 Examiner Reader said:
A typical government monopoly acting like a typical government monopoly. No rush to correct problems. It's a jobs program. In the end the taxpayers will cover the losses. Are the cameras working yet? When will the taxpayers finally revolt?

 89 agree | 96 disagree
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7:33 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail"

 avid reader said:
That's OK, because O"malley will just raise our taxes again to cover this cost. Fix the DAMN BUSES you idiots!!!

 92 agree | 101 disagree
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4:53 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail, giving passengers free rides"

 Examiner Reader said:
MTA is in disrepair from top to bottom.

 86 agree | 77 disagree
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4:49 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Ha ha: part 1 crimes. These guys sure do know the metaphors, don't they. Yeah, boy, papa, treat reality with metaphors, like "have a sit-down," & see how quickly all problems disappear, usually under a mound of paperwork. Oh, & meanwhile, the drivers will be filing stress claims for having lived thru the exp. & After the city & state go broke paying everybody off, then we can rattle thru the tax increase debate again.

 78 agree | 81 disagree
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4:39 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "MTA: Fare boxes routinely fail, giving passengers free rides"

 Mr. Mirth Alert said:
When I rode WMATA buses in D.C., many thousands of years ago, the old-fashioned fare boxes often failed to work. Are mfrs. in any way responsible for the poor quality of their product, or does MTA immediately absolve them of any responsibility, like in the same way we absolve everyone in any position of authority of responsibility after they've made mincemeat of things like state budget, war on terror, etc.

 85 agree | 78 disagree
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9:47 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 17, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
idiot

 79 agree | 76 disagree
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5:12 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Boy, 14, shot on Baltimore City bus"

 Examiner Reader said:
is there an update on this article, was the other youth apprehended and if so what is the charge?

 96 agree | 100 disagree
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8:41 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 14, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
Boy did you hit the nail on the head and are so right.

 90 agree | 76 disagree
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8:39 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 14, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
The problem is not law enforcement. It is the lack of parents teaching the right thing being repsponsible and it is not the teachers, preachers or cops. Get a life and put the blame where it belongs on the youth and parents. The breakdown of family and lack of respect from people to others. Lets get real about this. Lack of education which is also a childs responsibility to learn and for the parent to be there and enforce it all. Stop blaming everyone else.!!!!!!!!

 91 agree | 97 disagree
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8:16 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 14, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
County buses have problem also. People go get a job and stop complaining about others readers.

 104 agree | 98 disagree
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10:26 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
Have another donut, Chief.

 94 agree | 95 disagree
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11:00 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
This confirms how high ranking officials are turning a blind eye to those most in need of justice. Baltimore is encased in a icy grip of oppression towards those most in need of justice. How else do you explain the continual, outrageous stomping of someone who nearly died at the hands of bullies, targeted and sought out with threats from a co-hort of one of the bullies, then placed in the witness protection program, and then continually attacked, even as she's in hiding to prevent further violence against her?

 87 agree | 85 disagree
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11:56 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 The Undertaker said:
I bet this guy doesn't ride the bus or if he does he does so with his gun. Mere citizens like myself are not allowed to be armed. The Lords in the police departments are the only ones allowed to defend themselves.

 103 agree | 70 disagree
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11:52 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Marlowe said: said:
Bus Rider, what planet are you from? Photo-shopped in? what are you a X-files fan? Conspiracy theory idiot.

 80 agree | 94 disagree
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10:47 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Bus Rider said:
I agree completely with the Chief. The system is very safe. I also believe the bruises on Sarah Kreagers face were Photo-Shopped in. Additionally, I beleive that the two gentlemen who claimed they were attacked and subjected to racial slurs are making thw whole thing up. I beleive the kids from Poole middle school are fine, young examples of what success in school can for you. I beleived the boy who was stabbed in the leg deserved it. I beleive the news of a woman who was raped at the North Linicum station LR does not mean the system isn't safe. I beleive Baltimore is charm city. I beleive that corruption in city government is nonexistent. I do NOT beleive that Baltimore is the second dealiest city in America. I beleive the number of incidents on board MTA buses is misleading and over-stated. I beleive that, were it not for unjust incarceration, more young black men would graduate Blatimore High schools. I beleive my Kool Aid tastes funny. I beleive.

 86 agree | 73 disagree
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8:27 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "Bus patrons: Young riders are problem"

 Examiner Reader said:
A class action lawsuit is maybe what's needed here. The two men that were attacked and called derogatorily racial slures 'during' the attack, while the bus driver did nothing, and now this incompetent Police Chief making comments that add insult to injury, highlight how deeply ingrained is the incompetence and possibly criminal negligence of this sorrrry MTA system under Governor O'Malley.

 94 agree | 78 disagree
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8:19 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 1, 2008 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
The two men of Caucasian persuasion riding a bus and attacked while being caller "white" this and "white" that (while the driver sat by and did not call police) I'm sure would agree with Police Chief David Franklin's assessment that MTA buses are 'very safe'. Uh-huh. The victims need to sue the MTA, Governor O'Malley who oversees the MTA, and the police chief for making such a blatantly outrageous gag-me-with-a-spoon statement.

 90 agree | 83 disagree
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9:19 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 PW said:
Holy cow!! It's as if Franklin has never been on a MTA bus before. It seems the wheels are coming off....again!

 93 agree | 94 disagree
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8:52 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Reluctant Rider said:
I don't know about the rest of the riding public, but I for one, rest easy knowing this guy is "on the job." Yes sir, a real donut shop dynamo.

 93 agree | 87 disagree
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8:43 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
"I would say, yes, our system is very safe." I think Sarah Kreager would dispute the Chiefs findings. Nice work, officer Krupkie.

 69 agree | 92 disagree
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8:35 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
They shold have asked the riders or should I say the victims on the buses. Ask them if they feel safe. You don't need some bozo who only got the job because of his race. He doesn't ride the death traps. Probally never been on the bus without his gun. So he says they are safe. Bozo has a gun a bullet resistant vest and probally a body guard. The only thing normals riders have is fear. Wake up bozo.

 63 agree | 88 disagree
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5:52 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
forjesussake: If you curse your children out at home and in the street, they are going to come in public and curse at other people. If you slap your child side his/her head,they are going to do the samethings in public. City government cannot re-raise your children. IF IT'S NOT TAUGHT AT HOME ITS NOT USED IN PUBLIC. A lot of you like to refer to people as animals. Remember when someone took some time with you when you wern't so fortunate. You forgot how God made man and what He made man out of......you're no different.

 90 agree | 91 disagree
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5:47 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
C'mon, we all know what's going on here. How can Franklin claim the buses & trains are safe and keep a straight face? Ooops, looks like he couldn't. Where does this cat spend his shift, anyway? Anyone else ever ride the mass transit systems in other countries? You would not beleive the difference. The moment we stop treating mass transit as an extention of welfare, security (and ridership) will increase.

 88 agree | 90 disagree
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3:53 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
Why is the city in such denial over this issue ? Mr. Franklin should ride the bus himself for a week, then do an interview and tell us how "safe" city buses are.

 90 agree | 79 disagree
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2:34 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner reader said:
what does it matter what the afge is of the criminal? dead is dead. yo'malley has used the mta polcie job as a political payback.. these cops are no more than security guards.

 81 agree | 82 disagree
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1:19 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
My son works for MTA I can asure you it is not safe.I bet this MTA cop does not ride the bus and nor does any one in his family.They don't care about the safety of others.They just get their pay check and move forward.This is just another incident to them.NO BIGGIE.This is Baltimore life on our streets.And no one cares.No hate crime here,it happened to a white person.END OF STORY

 105 agree | 62 disagree
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1:10 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
As a frequent "rider" of the MTA I ask the Chief exactly when are your officers on the buses, and what days of the week are they on the light rail and when do they enter the subway unless they have dogs with them? I will admit that they have no problem looking under a train at Camden Yards at 6:30 AM, thereby causing one to be late for work. If officers were on the buses with frequency would the drivers be talking on their cell phones? Would those passengers that "snort" drugs in the early morning or those that smoke on the trains in the afternoon continuously do this if the Chief's officers were on them? Would the kids that ride them be 1/4 as disrepectful as they are? The problem is the lack of accountability and the monopoly the MTA has. Perhaps the Chief can tell us his definition of the word safe.

 86 agree | 90 disagree
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12:42 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
You wanna ride the bus? Be prepared to be aBUSed. "Your new ride, our new attitude." Beleive.

 94 agree | 95 disagree
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12:25 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
The people that run the state and city services are the people appointed by the elected officials. They are accountable to those officials, not you. You voted for O'Mally and Dixon and they back Chief Franklin. You are getting exactly what you voted for at every level of government. Sorry, look in the mirror.

 94 agree | 96 disagree
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12:17 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Reader said:
I'm curious how "safe" our MTA is compared to other major cities. I doubt it is really "safe" ...per capita.

 95 agree | 83 disagree
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12:09 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Mark said:
I try to limit my MTA "experience" to once a year when I'm called for jury duty (another exercise in futility but that's another story). On those lucky instances when something insulting is not uttered towards my white as snow self audibly by some upstanding fine young person the cold threatening stares convey the message quite accurately. Excuse me upstanding fine young person but I'm pretty sure I pay more in taxes to support this system you abuse than you or your kin. Therefore I have as much or more of a right to use it than you. It's far past time for criminals to be dealt with as criminals by the city and not "poor under privileged children" and if you love acting like animals we have a marvelous facility over Gwynn Fall's way with some vacant cages you're welcome to inhabit. Baltimore sure isn't headed in any good direction and those at the top of city government that shirk their responsibility to fix problems aren't helping in the least.

 108 agree | 67 disagree
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12:07 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Reader said:
LIES! There are NO cops on buses!!!! Of course he is going ot say "very safe"...his job is at stake....and should be taken from him if his ignorance of the MTA is any indication of job performance.

 85 agree | 99 disagree
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11:52 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Metro Survivor said:
When asked if there were any plans to separate student riders from the rest of us, Fraklin says "We have not talked about that." Well Chief, you better get with the program because that's EVERYONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT!

 103 agree | 86 disagree
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11:44 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
This is the standard line from another MTA do-nothing. Whenever something happens on a MTA bus or train, MTA responds by saying that there are many COPS in plain clothes. -- That's a just a load of crap. Chief, here is a question for you: Exactly HOW MANY plain-clothed COPS are deployed on MTA assets today? Ok, so you don't want to address the problems that are so obvious to the rest of us, fine. Just don't insult my intellegence by saying you're doing something about them.

 84 agree | 82 disagree
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11:17 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
The attitude of Chief Franklin as conveyed in this article is precisely the problem. He seems almost disinterested in the troubles facing MTA security. To even suggest that there was no racial motivation with regard to the most recent attacks onboard MTA vehicles, is indicative of the double standards for acceptable conduct in Baltimore; One for whites, and another for blacks -- who clearly have a different idea of what is acceptable personal conduct in public. Anyone, who has even taken a short ride on MTA, knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Sure, we can all deny that which we know to be true, but denials cannot change the truth. If we cannot even acknowledge the problem, any solution remains out of reach.

 84 agree | 77 disagree
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11:08 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
mta needs to be overhauled, bus drivers need hazardous pay, buses and equipment should always be in working order, resources/allegations should be investigated first, in some cases better parenting skills, people need to care

 94 agree | 83 disagree
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10:41 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
The system is safe, as long as you are not white.

 126 agree | 84 disagree
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9:42 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
...and the beat goes on....

 74 agree | 90 disagree
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9:40 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
That's like someone slappin' me in the face and sayin' "I was only playin'" The look on the guy's face says everything about how seriously he's takin' this crisis on the MTA buses, don't it? Uh-huh. The buses are 'very safe' *grin grin*

 80 agree | 86 disagree
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9:16 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "Boy, 14, shot on Baltimore City bus"

 MH said:
Further down in the comments someone mentioned BRAC, you have to know as a state we are going to screw that up too! I think SLOTS are to blame for the crimes being committed around the state in general,sorry forgot we never got slots, I wonder why things are failing apart then. Hmmmm guess maybe it it is the slots in Delaware causing us all this trouble. Happy New Year everyone, I lok forward to reading everyones comments in the New Year.

 110 agree | 101 disagree
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9:14 AM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "MTA cop: System is 'very safe'"

 Examiner Reader said:
Like our esteemed CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Dr. Andres' Alonso, stated on television in reference to these juveniles (who committed such a dastardly, wanton act of violence) we must remember, these are just children. Uh-huh. Now that makes me feel better. Bravo Dr. Alonso, and Mayor Sheila Dixon (who is in hiding and only ventures out for parties to highlight how wonderful our city is) *gag* And this guy. And then there's David Franklin. I feel better after reading his comments, don't you?

 92 agree | 78 disagree
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