[AntonK]

Downtown is still so frustrating. My wife took the LRT to downtown library with 2 kids. Churchill elevator broken…what a joke. 0 way to get out for accessibility needs. So she goes to central and has to go past multiple drug users actively using and folding to get an elevator, as well as what she described as a 300+ lbs security guard that was sleeping in a chair with phone in hand. Great impression, use of resources, accessibility, and safety there COE, ETS, EPS.

This is what has to change. We actively want to use transit and be downtown. And yet are still deterred. Good luck getting the average Edmontonian to overlook those experiences and to try again.

The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again

 

[thommyjo]

The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again

That’s the challenge. All it takes is one or two experiences like that and “choice users” might never return”.

I’ve used the Milner library bathrooms a few times the last year. Currently I’m at like 4/5 times there’s been a red alert member in there basically using it as a private bathroom to clean/dress/do drugs, etc.

Why are we allowing red alert members in the library? You have gang affiliated clothing on, you’re banned. That simple.

Would love to bring more friends to that library cause it’s so fun for young kids. But the liklihood of a bad experience is almost guaranteed.

 

[Friendmonton]

The Milner needs a security entrance just like City Hall. It takes barely any time to go through and makes the place much safer.

 

[Offworld]

The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again

I can't tell if you're rolling your eyes at the problem, or your sister for voting with her feet. If the latter?

 

[AntonK]

I can't tell if you're rolling your eyes at the problem, or your sister for voting with her feet. If the latter?

The latter. I get that there is a real issue with sketchiness around downtown and the lrt stations, but to swear off it from one incident seems a bit much. I use the lrt a fair bit and don't encounter issues very often. For a lot of people the issues get blown out of proportion.

 

[kcantor]

The latter. I get that there is a real issue with sketchiness around downtown and the lrt stations, but to swear off it from one incident seems a bit much. I use the lrt a fair bit and don't encounter issues very often. For a lot of people the issues get blown out of proportion.

“Not encountering issues very often” still means regularly and for those that are vulnerable - like my wife and like your sister - “not encountering issues very often” simply isn’t good enough.

 

[policyenthusiast]

“Not encountering issues very often” still means regularly and for those that are vulnerable - like my wife and like your sister - “not encountering issues very often” simply isn’t good enough.

Public transit & stations are a bottomless pit for investing in security and police presence, largely ineffectively at that. The shakeup needs to come from the provincial level, not from LRT governance or the City.

 

[IanO]

Exactly. Break the cycle or have detention.

ECC security and EPS moved a group with open drug use off of the property on 102ave and so this group migrated to the 102ave LRT station benches and continued.

How is that any better (actually worse) and no penalty, with near impunity it seems and now putting transit riders at risk.

 

[David A]

Public transit & stations are a bottomless pit for investing in security and police presence, largely ineffectively at that. The shakeup needs to come from the provincial level, not from LRT governance or the City.

Be very careful what you ask for. If the city can't handle this effectively, I suspect Queen Danielle would be happy to push them out of the way and take over EPS, ETS and whatever else she wants.

 

[kcantor]

Public transit & stations are a bottomless pit for investing in security and police presence, largely ineffectively at that. The shakeup needs to come from the provincial level, not from LRT governance or the City.

No real disagreement from me on that front but properly allocating the blame/causes doesn’t in and of itself reduce that “not encountering issues very often” to a level that would make your sister comfortable.

 

[policyenthusiast]

Be very careful what you ask for. If the city can't handle this effectively, I suspect Queen Danielle would be happy to push them out of the way and take over EPS, ETS and whatever else she wants.

Seizing operational governance is a whole other thing, which I doubt the GoA has any interest in. We need proper funding from the province, and Criminal Code changes from Parliament, much more than we need "guidance" from the UCP about how to drive a bus.

 

[David A]

Seizing operational governance is a whole other thing, which I doubt the GoA has any interest in. We need proper funding from the province, and Criminal Code changes from Parliament, much more than we need "guidance" from the UCP about how to drive a bus.

I agree we don't need their guidance, but if we can't get things together they will be happy to force it on us regardless.

 

[johnnyboy]

Saw two of Edmonton's finest out on bikes this afternoon on Jasper Ave by Local. It was like watching a dog play the piano.

 

[policyenthusiast]

Saw two of Edmonton's finest out on bikes this afternoon on Jasper Ave by Local. It was like watching a dog play the piano.

I am disappointed in myself for automatically assuming "Edmonton's finest" meant homeless people.

 

[David A]

There was a time several years ago I remember seeing a lot of shady looking guys on those low kid like bikes with big handle bars, not sure if that time has passed.