In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a commuter in Edmonton was attacked while traveling through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The individual recounted being struck in the face and shared the incident with Transit Watch, Edmonton Transit Services’ safety reporting line, later that day, mentioning a delay in reporting due to a desire to swiftly leave the scene and return home.
On the same day, Transit Watch received multiple reports from riders, including instances of harassment, drug use in public, drug transactions, a fire ignited at a bus stop, and an individual brandishing a flame lighter inside a transit center. The city has been making efforts to enhance safety on public transit for a considerable period by increasing the presence of peace and police officers, expanding outreach teams, and investing more in cleanliness and security enhancements.
Despite these initiatives, text messages submitted to the reporting line over a one-month period earlier this year indicate persistent concerns among riders regarding safety within the transit system. Reports obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information Act request revealed a continuous stream of concerns reported from various locations across the city.
Drug-related issues emerged as a primary worry, with numerous reports highlighting drug use and smoking at LRT stations, bus stops, and pedestrian walkways. Commuters expressed frustration at being exposed to illegal substances and behavior, such as meth, crack, and fentanyl use on transit premises. Instances of verbal abuse, including anti-Semitic remarks and offensive comments, were also reported.
Concerns extended to witnessing drug transactions, discovering drug paraphernalia, encountering individuals engaging in disruptive behavior like urinating in public areas, and facing safety hazards like broken glass. Riders raised alarms about various safety issues, including finding a used condom in a ticket machine and encountering pools of blood, fires, physical altercations, and threats of violence at different transit locations.
Katarina Hamilton, a frequent transit user, reported texting Transit Watch monthly, often observing individuals obstructing entrances and starting fires, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours. She recalled an incident involving a violent altercation at Central Station, prompting her to contact authorities out of concern for her safety and nearby children.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve safety measures, including the addition of peace officers and outreach teams, ETS acknowledges the challenge of swiftly altering riders’ safety perceptions. The transit agency is implementing various strategies, such as enhancing cellular connectivity in LRT tunnels, increasing rider engagement, offering travel training support, and upgrading station infrastructure to foster a safer environment for commuters.
City council members, like Coun. Anne Stevenson, emphasized the importance of addressing root causes of social disorder to enhance safety on public transit. Initiatives like pop-up events and safety attendants aim to create a more secure and welcoming atmosphere, complementing broader efforts to tackle issues related to drug use and homelessness.
While progress has been made, transit safety advocates like David Cooper stress the need for sustained support from governmental partners to address complex societal challenges. Cooper highlighted the importance of continuous investments in staffing, infrastructure, and community support to ensure lasting improvements in transit safety nationwide.