Safety situation on the light rail? (Phoenix, Taylor: renting, credit, neighborhood)

[My2cents55]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

OK thanks. Would you let your teenage daughter ride on it alone between say 6am and 10pm?

If it's Central Phoenix Dunlap, Montebello, 19th Ave probably not that is where most of the riff-raff is. Tempe- Mesa, Gilbert, and Main seem safe and quiet for the most part.

Just my personal experience. If no other mode of transportation was available it would be ok I guess they do have transit security and they do board the trains from time to time.

[Valley Native]

I ride the light rail only when I'm going downtown for a Suns game or some other event. It has become a nightmare to drive in central Phoenix and find parking, so light rail is much more convenient in my case. As for the vagrants, drug addicts, and other losers who board the trains: would you rather have these people driving cars and causing mayhem in traffic? I would much rather see these derelicts on a light rail train than behind the wheel!

So it comes down to picking your poison. Either drive your own vehicle to the congested areas, and contend with stop & go traffic, accidents, inattentive/idiotic drivers, construction zones, etc., and then pay for parking in a questionable lot/garage. Or: hop aboard the light rail, enjoy a smooth ride without the traffic annoyances, put up with a few low class people along the way, and then walk a short distance to your destination without worrying about the safety of your parked car. Light rail is public transit, so of course there are going to be some lowlifes. It was that way when I rode the buses too (many many years ago).

[My2cents55]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I ride the light rail only when I'm going downtown for a Suns game or some other event. It has become a nightmare to drive in central Phoenix and find parking, so light rail is much more convenient in my case. As for the vagrants, drug addicts, and other losers who board the trains: would you rather have these people driving cars and causing mayhem in traffic? I would much rather see these derelicts on a light rail train than behind the wheel!

So it comes down to picking your poison. Either drive your own vehicle to the congested areas, and contend with stop & go traffic, accidents, inattentive/idiotic drivers, construction zones, etc., and then pay for parking in a questionable lot/garage. Or: hop aboard the light rail, enjoy a smooth ride without the traffic annoyances, put up with a few low class people along the way, and then walk a short distance to your destination without worrying about the safety of your parked car. Light rail is public transit, so of course there are going to be some lowlifes. It was that way when I rode the buses too (many many years ago).

Yeah if you're going to the game or you work downtown it's great otherwise not so much.

[loose cannon]

in 2020 when the lockdown started I rode from Main and Country Club to Tempe. I encountered 2 black men who were clearly looking for trouble. They mouthed off to me. I mouthed off back. I decided to get off a stop later with a lot of people. I ordered filibertos and got back on. They got back on also. SO, did 2 cops thankfully who stepped up to them and asked what they were doing. I got off at my stop.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

in 2020 when the lockdown started I rode from Main and Country Club to Tempe. I encountered 2 black men who were clearly looking for trouble. They mouthed off to me. I mouthed off back. I decided to get off a stop later with a lot of people. I ordered filibertos and got back on. They got back on also. SO, did 2 cops thankfully who stepped up to them and asked what they were doing. I got off at my stop.

Would the experience have been any less concerning if the men had been White, Asian, Latino, or something else? Either way, it sounds like the Filibertos food was the scariest part of the experience.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

OK thanks. Would you let your teenage daughter ride on it alone between say 6am and 10pm?

It depends on your daughter's demeanor. As in, how does she carry herself? Some people, including adults, can easily be 'read' as a possible victim. Others exhibit a level of confidence and blend in. My SIL for instance seems to attract less-than-ideal people who approach her while other more confident-looking females her age don't. In her case, she is a magnet for idiots. I digress.

Statistically speaking, women and younger people are higher targets. Trust your gut instincts. The chances of a problem are low. And it's why you feel comfortable to ask. But you never know what POS human will be on that light rail. I was in MSP airport (light rail connects the Mall of America to DT MPLS.) 10 police were waiting for the light rail to stop, they all got on the cars (plural), found their derelict, pulled him off, and left 10-15 other pee-smelling transients continue to ride. Meanwhile, my wife gets on the same train where this guy is being yelled at by the police to get off. I asked WTF was she thinking of to get on that train! Did he have a gun or knife? I vowed never to take a light rail again. I'll spend the money and dodge a subset of social rejects.

If were my daughter, I'd hire a limo/driver service. You will rest easier that night.

[RJ312]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

Would you let your teenage daughter ride on it alone between say 6am and 10pm?

I would not let my teenage daughter ride on light rail alone in any major US city between those hours.

Light rail is a haven for riff raff in all US cities.

[Sno0909]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Would the experience have been any less concerning if the men had been White, Asian, Latino, or something else? Either way, it sounds like the Filibertos food was the scariest part of the experience.

Here we go....I was waiting for this comment.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

OK thanks. Would you let your teenage daughter ride on it alone between say 6am and 10pm?

Honestly, I get worried when my daughter is driving, with friends, to a concert in downtown Phoenix let alone getting on mass transit. She knows how to take care of herself as far as self defense goes but why invite that kind of trouble/environment. I wouldn't get on one, why would I want ANY family member to use it when there are viable alternatives. Sorry, I have met the general public...people are the worst. Why would I want to ride in a box with them? Planes are already bad enough.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

Here we go....I was waiting for this comment.

And I'm waiting for the answer. It might take a while, so maybe I'll take the train to Filibertos while I'm in biding my time.

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Honestly, I get worried when my daughter is driving, with friends, to a concert in downtown Phoenix let alone getting on mass transit. She knows how to take care of herself as far as self defense goes but why invite that kind of trouble/environment. I wouldn't get on one, why would I want ANY family member to use it when there are viable alternatives. Sorry, I have met the general public...people are the worst. Why would I want to ride in a box with them? Planes are already bad enough.

It sounds like you should lock her up at home so there is no contact with anyone, with a possible exception only for a flight on Taylor Swift's jet.