NCJ Number
52148
Date Published
1973
Length
161 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT DISCUSSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF CRIME AND THE IMPROVEMENT IN REAL AND PERCEIVED LEVELS OF PROTECTIONS AFFORDED MASS TRANSIT PATRONS IN CHICAGO, ILL.
Abstract
THREE CRIME-REDUCING SOLUTIONS PERTAIN TO THE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT OF THE RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM, WHILE THE FOURTH PERTAINS TO MINOR MODIFICATIONS IN THE 'OPEN PLAN' CONCEPT. THE FIRST SOLUTION CALLS FOR THE REMOTE MONITORING OF TRANSIT PATRONS IN ORDER TO INSTILL IN FELONS A PERCEPTION OF REDUCED OPPORTUNITY TO COMMIT CRIMES AND IN PATRONS A SENSE OF INCREASED PERSONAL PROTECTION. THE SECOND SOLUTION INVOLVES A MODULAR SYSTEM DESIGNED TO REMIND THE PATRON TO BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL DANGER. UPON ENTERING A STATION, PATRONS TRIP AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR THAT TRIGGERS A RECORDING REMINDING THEM TO REMAIN WITHIN A COLOR-CODED SECTION OF THE PLATFORM SUBJECT TO NONREMOTE SURVEILLANCE. THE THIRD SOLUTION IS DESIGNED TO OFFER TRANSIT EMPLOYEES (I.E. CONDUCTORS) AN ABILITY TO EXERCISE JUDGMENT AS TO THE NEED FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE. WHEN CONDUCTORS PERCEIVE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR A PATRON, THEY CAN TRANSMIT A REMOTE RADIO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE WHICH WILL IN TURN BE COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY TO PATROL VEHICLES WITHIN 0.5 MILES OF THE TRAIN. THE FOURTH SOLUTION--ALREADY IN USE BY THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY--IS THE OPEN VISIBILITY CONCEPT; PATRONS ARE AFFORDED UNOBSTRUCTED VISIBILITY OF THE TRANSIT ENVIRONMENT, WHICH PERMITS THEM TO RECOGNIZE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT. EACH SOLUTION IS DISCUSSED INDIVIDUALLY, WITH ATTENTION TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS, EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION, AND BUDGETARY FACTORS. TABULAR DATA, MAPS, AND DIAGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)