A recent shooting on an A train in Brooklyn left some subway riders feeling uneasy and wondering how they would react if such a violent collision occurred on their car, bus or other public transportation.
Experts say public transportation isn’t necessarily dangerous, and even in New York City, the perception of crime on the subway has dwarfed what the actual data reveals.
Still, it can be helpful to know what public safety experts believe are the best ways to protect yourself while using public transportation.
Here’s what you should know.
Be alert to dangerous situations.
Tracy Walder, who has worked for the CIA and FBI, recommends paying attention to people who appear to be “extremely anxious,” such as those who cannot sit still and those who engage in verbal harassment. although she adds that there are many people who engage in such behaviors, do not harm others or commit crimes.
“Usually cases like this escalate,” she said. “It would start with verbal harassment and then escalate to physical harassment.”
It is also important to focus on the right factors.
“When you observe your surroundings, don’t judge people based on their appearance. Judge them by their behavior,” said Michal Cieslik, chairman of the safety committee of the International Association of Public Transport.
Seat selection and other instructions.
Ms. Walder recommends starting with preparation. She said passengers on public transport should always remain awake and alert. She also suggested that passengers should try to sit in the service or conductor cars – typically the first and middle cars on New York City trains – and avoid the doors, because she said public transit users are more likely to sit near them would be harassed.
Cautious drivers might also consider avoiding the end cars, especially at night when these areas may be less crowded and they may want to avoid eye contact with strangers.
“If you hear verbal harassment, do not say anything back because in most cases the situation will only escalate,” she said.
Many train systems have intercom systems that passengers can use to contact the conductor. Riders can also contact other transit workers or call 911 immediately if there is cell service underground.
When should you pull the emergency brake?
Ms Walder warned against pulling the emergency brake, particularly in large cities, as it can be quicker to get help if you wait at the next stop, get out and then contact emergency services. Pulling the emergency brake means the train could stop in a tunnel and you have to wait for help.
Consider switching to another car.
“It can be a good idea to change trains if you feel unwell, preferably by waiting for the next stop,” Ms Walder said. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, for example, urges passengers not to pass between moving cars because doing so can be fatal.
What about open wagons?
Open carriages, or long trains without separate carriages, have become the norm worldwide, Cieslik said. He said the carriages made it easier to escape a situation because there was no door to slow people down.
“In the event of an attack, you are much quicker to do evasive maneuvers,” he said.
However, the open car system could also make it “more difficult to contain the carnage” in a violent scenario, Ms. Walder said.
I seek help from bystanders.
What if you are harassed and no one helps you?
“Sometimes people don’t step in to help because they think others will,” said Chandra Bhat, president of the Transportation and Development Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Passersby may also not realize what is happening.
“One thing is to just be a little vocal and ask for help, to point out a situation that makes you uncomfortable,” Mr. Bhat said, adding that it also sends a message to the attacker.
It’s best to keep it brief. “People get a little upset and then start saying too many things that can actually escalate the situation,” he said.
Mr. Cieslik also recommends putting as much distance as possible between yourself and the attacker and using your phone to record.
Know when to intervene.
Tsahi Shemesh, founder and chief instructor of Krav Maga Experts, a New York City-based organization that teaches self-defense classes, said that “ultimately the answer is: Do what you can,” adding that not everyone has the same skills Skills and abilities mean that every situation is different.
“If I don’t know what I’m doing and if I don’t have the authority to stop it, I may just become another victim,” he said, adding that sometimes the best decision is to do nothing to do You are not trained.
But he said that “not being equipped is a dangerous choice” and that people should learn self-defense.
Polly Hanson, a senior director at the American Public Transportation Association, said, “The decision to intervene in a non-confrontational manner is a personal decision and the transit agency will encourage people to report things and not intervene.”
When witnessing an attack, Mr. Shemesh says it is sometimes helpful to be loud and draw attention to the situation, or to check on the victim later, if there is one, to make sure they know someone is watching and takes care of him.
“People tend to do absolutely nothing when they see an attack,” he said, adding that it’s not because they don’t want to help, but “because they don’t know how to help.”
If you are a witness, should you record it?
Passengers should only record an incident with their cell phone cameras when they are outside the danger zone. Police officers used phone camera footage to secure convictions and reconstruct crime scenes, Ms. Walder said.
Chandra Bhat, president of the Transportation and Development Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, noted that people sometimes change their behavior when they know they are on video.
“Sometimes it can be a way to diffuse the mood, because most people, once they realize the recording is happening, go into a slightly softer tone,” he said.
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2024-03-22 16:07:46
www.nytimes.com
