THUNDER BAY CITY TRANSIT SAFETY SURVEY
Thunder Bay City Transit Safety Survey Report
Introduction – The Issue:
The Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) is concerned about the safety of young people who come to access resources and services at the Multicultural Youth Centre. Reports of violence in the southcore, where the Youth Centre is located, are affecting the numbers of youths participating in the Youth Council’s after-school programs. This problem is confirmed by a study by Jill Paske (Chronicle Journal, February 21, 2005), a University of Waterloo graduate student. Her master’s thesis research project on Thunder Bay Core Areas Safety Audit identified most areas in down-town Fort William as dangerous. The Brodie Street bus terminal adjacent to the Youth Centre was identified by 75 percent of the respondents as unsafe.
Safety has become a factor on some parents’ reluctance to allow their kids to participate the Youth Council’s after-school activities. Many are afraid to let their children use the transit system and the Brodie Street terminal to come to the Youth Centre. As a result, we see a trend where it is mostly kids with rides, or those we are able to provide transportation for who are utilizing the Youth Centre. Consequently, the RMYC has been losing members and potential volunteers.
To try and ease concerns about safety for youths wanting to plan and organize their own activities, and those interested to attend functions at the Centre, the RMYC decided to consult with stakeholders. We wanted to study the situation and gather input on ways to improve security at the Brodie Street bus terminal.
We surveyed transit users, some bus drivers and the police to hear the concerns, and get suggestions on what can be done to make the bus system safer. The information would be shared with those in positions of authority to do something about bus safety. Through the study, we also wanted to show that youths are concerned about personal safety as every one else, and need to be included and involved in the process as part of the solution to problems.
The Study — Surveying Transit Users:
A team of 12 youths and a peer leader comprised of RMYC officers and volunteers from different cultural and racial backgrounds worked on the project. The team received some orientation and training to conduct the survey. This involved learning techniques on common courtesy such as: how to introduce themselves, say what they are doing, and why, and ask if they are interested to participate in the study. They had to be polite, and remember to thank everyone regardless of whether they agreed to participate in the survey or not.
The process involved developing a simple questionnaire to obtain comments on transit safety from riders using the Brodie Street bus terminal. We also wanted to include the youths at the Youth Centre who relied on public transport to come to participate in our activities. Then, there were those participating in our summer events in the parking lot by the Brodie Street terminal. Since some of the youth visiting the Centre were from the north ward (Port Arthur), the Water Street terminal where they had to transfer to other busses was also included in the study to assess the safety situation there.
The original plan was to hand out questionnaires with the four questions below for the recipients to complete.
(1) Do you feel safe waiting for the bus?
(2) Do you feel safe in the bus?
(3) Have you seen any incidents of violence?
(4) What can be done to make the transit system safer?
This strategy worked well with youths at the Youth Centre, who had lots of time to write down their responses. Many were keen to participate in the study because the issue of safety affected them directly. Some shared personal experiences of what they had encountered, things they had seen that scared them, and what they wanted done to make the bus terminal and transit system safer. They also wanted their parents to feel comfortable to let them use buses to visit the Centre in the evenings.
Completing questionnaires, was however, inconvenient for many of the transit riders at the terminals. This approach only worked when buses were late, or for the people just hanging around the terminal. It was hard to get those in a hurry to get on the bus to write down anything. And, with the general concern about safety at the terminals, many avoided long waits for the bus.
To accommodate those rushing to and from the bus, the team settled on brief interviews. They would ask the questions and write down the responses. It was also more practical to ride the bus and talk with the passengers en-route. This proved a very effective way to engage the passengers in longer discussions.
The interviews were also conducted with bus drivers, the police, and even the janitors at the terminals to gather more inclusive perspective on the nature of the problem, and what could be done to improve the situation.
A total of 93 surveys were completed by youths at the Centre and other people at the terminals. Approximately one hundred and twenty-five bus riders were interviewed, and their responses written down by the project team. Just over forty youths at the Youth Centre responded to questionnaire.
There were more than sixty young and old we talked with during the Friday evening barbecues and sports nights the RMYC hosted in July and August. The events were help in the parking lot by the McKellar Neighbourhood Police office next to the Brodie Street terminal. The social nature of the function made many keen to talk. About seventy-five per cent of those who participated in the study are youths ranging from ten to twenty five years old.
Most of the surveys were completed between June and November, 2007. About half were done during the daylight hours, and the balance almost evenly divided between late afternoon and early evening. Only a few were done very late at night. In fact, some of the team members were scared to hang around the terminals late at night. Even though nothing bad happened to them, there was an eerie feeling and anxiety hanging around the terminals late ant night.
Summary of the Responses - Observations, Concerns and Issues:
C The Water Street Terminal is considered by those we interviewed to be safer than the Brodie Street Terminal.
C Transit users generally feel safer during the day than at night.
C The Brodie Street Terminal is considered most unsafe after nightfall, and the risk is higher as it gets later in the night..
C Safety issues at the terminals involve threats, intimidation, rowdiness, yelling, intoxication, providing alcohol to minors, drug dealing, racial remarks, harassment, pen-handling, soliciting fights, stabbings, robberies and other forms of physical assault.
C Other concerns that are health-related include spitting, littering, peeing, discarding needles, used condoms, etc.
C Gangs hang out at the bus terminals, recruiting members and prostitutes, dealing drugs, intimidating rival gangs, and threatening other people.
C Dirty, smelly, drunk and smoking passengers create discomfort for other bus riders.
C Some people feel frustrated contacting the police after an incident because officers are usually slow to respond and come late to do anything.
C A significant number of youths are afraid to call police officers for help due to past negative experiences dealing with them.
C Many with issues to complain about do not report their concerns to the transit staff, or police, because they feel that it won’t do much good since not much will come out of it. Some people feel that the process of reporting is not worth the risk. They fear revenge, and the police will not be there to protect them.
C The presence of bus drivers helps to make many transit users feel safer.
C Some bus drivers deal with safety concerns in an efficient and professional manner. Others are racist, or show prejudice and insensitivity on how they treat Aboriginal passengers.
C The police patrols are making a difference. The presence of police officers making rounds at night at the Brodie Street Terminal has increased the feeling of safety for most bus users.
Suggestions to make the transit safer - Recommendations:
C Have security guards, transit or regular police patrols at the terminals
C Install brighter lights around the terminals
C Install video cameras and visible public notices warning passengers that they are under surveillance. Special surveillance cameras at Brodie and Water Streets should be linked with the down-town "Eye on the Street" surveillance system for better and effective monitoring.
C Put large conspicuous warning signs at the terminals to advise/warn passengers that they are under surveillance.
C Have direct phones at terminals and high-risk bus-stops for emergency calls to police, and surveillance cameras installed at the phones to monitor callers and protect them, as well as reduce the risk of prank calls.
C Add public announcements to taped (classical) music piped through the terminal’s PA system to encourage the general public to play an active role in making the terminals and transit system safer and cleaner. Messages broadcast as done in Airports would inform or advising people as follows:
- For your safety, the bus terminal is under surveillance;
- You are our valued customer(s). Help us to make the transit system safe;
- Please report your security concerns to the bus driver or the police;
- This is your terminal. Do your part to keep it clean. Please do not litter!
C Conducting regular surveys on passenger satisfaction and having suggestion boxes at the terminals for ideas to improve passenger safety.
C Consulting the general public on ways to improve the transit system would get potential passengers to use the system and increase bus riders.
C Training bus drivers to deal with rowdy passengers, intoxicated people, people from different cultural/’racial backgrounds, youths loitering at the terminals etc. would help to diffuse potentially risky situations.
C Offering alternate fun activities for the youth in the core areas would help to keep them busy, and off the bus terminals where they end up bei9ng a nuisance and creating problems for others.
General Analysis:
All the people we surveyed had either seen, or heard about some risky situations at the bus terminals. Some had personally witnessed fights, verbal assaults, been approached by pen-handlers, harassed by drunks, seen arguments and racial incidents that made them feel uncomfortable or afraid.
The presence of youth street gangs in the city was adding to violence at the terminals. Many fights were due to gang rivalry, tensions between on-reserve and off-reserve youths, bad drug deals, robbery of designer clothes, cigarettes, money, etc; racism mainly between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal youths, anger, frustration, mental health issues, gossip, rumors, jealousy, need for respect and sheer excitement i.e. nothing better to do. Bored youths hanging around the terminals were a potential for disaster since many carried pocket knives or other weapons for self defense.
Those witnessing fights, drug deals, threats etc. were afraid to speak out for fear of reprisal. They stayed out of it because it was not their business to intervene or interfere. However, many felt that if a life was in danger, they would seek help–alert the bus driver, or call the police or security.
Almost everyone interviewed had personal experiences with drunks. While they may not have made physically or verbal threats, they were safety concerns due to behaviour, persistence and unpredictability.
Neighbourhoods surrounding the terminal or bus stop affects the safety concerns of the users. One transit user commented that waiting for the bus in Westfort, Fort William downtown and Port Arthur south core at night or alone requires particular caution because of the area.
The bus routes Mainline and Memorial were of most concern to those who identified safety issues in the bus routes. This is because of their intercity route and the neighbourhoods around them that scare riders.
A number of youths said that they were uncomfortable with the police around because for fear of being harassed by the officers. They did not trust the police to protect them or take their concerns seriously from past personal experiences that were negative.
Most young people feel safer in a group–for protection, and many carry weapons for self-protection. Ironically this often creates fear among lone passengers who see any group of youths as intimidating, and regard armed kids as a threat to them..
There are negative perceptions about groups of kids, especially Aboriginal youths who are generally stereotyped as gang members or affiliated with youth street gangs.
Playing classical music in the bus terminals to ward off loitering has little effect on most of the people we surveyed. Cold weather in winter and other factors such as fear of being assaulted factored more on whether they hung around the terminals or not. Drug traffickers and those involved in gang activities did not care about the music being played. In fact many young people said they have I-pods.
Some of the people we interviewed feel that the security cameras located in the terminals are fake, or not really working, because they do not see immediate responses when incidents occur. Suggestions were made to publicize incidents they have helped to resolve. Otherwise, link them up with the "Eye-on-the-Street" surveillance system in the downtown cores. This would reassure the riders and the general public who are aware of the cases that have been resolved by the surveillance cameras downtown.
Some of the people we approached felt that the survey was a waste of time because nothing would be done to improve the system. Some said that they had made calls to report problems, and written letters to newspapers, but nothing happened.
One respondent claimed that the transit was for the poor who cannot afford to own their own vehicles. So policy-makers who do not use public transportation were not sensitive to the issues and really don’t care if it will cost a lot of money to improve the system. Probably, if someone was killed, or there was a law-suit, then they may be forced to act.
Many Aboriginal people surveyed felt that racism is a problem at terminals and on busses. This was a problem not only between passengers, but also involving bus drivers and the police. While many drivers and police officers all people with respect, there were some who over reacted. They harassed Aboriginal people and treated youths rudely or unfairly. In such cases, it was difficult to complain to them about the racial discrimination.
Complaints against bus drivers included:
not stopping long enough for passengers to get on or off the bus safely.
harassment about transfer passes targeting mainly Aboriginal passangers
being treated as if they were cheats–trying to get free rides
seeing all Aboriginal people as addicts, alcoholics, or criminals
Complaints against the police were:
Being too rude and rough–excessive use of force
Using bad language and profanities which are degrading
Stereotyping Aboriginal people, and displaying a condescending attitude
Being disrespectful of youths
Racial profiling against Aboriginal people and other racialized groups
A majority of bus drivers and police officers acted professionally. They were polite and tried to understand the First Nations. But, there were some who are ignorant, and are prejudiced against Aboriginal people. They need to learn to treat everyone fairly, and be culturally sensitive to appreciate people from other cultures and different races. All public service workers such as the police and transit drivers need anti-racism training, and orientation in diversity to better serve our changing population.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The RMYC is impressed with the level of participation from all the people we approached during the project. In spite of the cynicism by some people that nothing will come out of the study, many were generally polite and co-operated with the interviewers.
The survey highlights can be summarized as follows:
- The Thunder Bay Transit bus terminals and bus stops are generally considered to be safe during daylight hours. The risk factor and fear of violence increases as it gets darker, or becomes later into the night.
- Problems of security at the terminals is aa reflection of the violence that exists in the neighbourhoods and the community in general
- More adults are afraid of youths than youtths feel threatened by adults.
- People at the terminals are afraid of youtths hanging out in groups.
- Many youths who use the transit are afraidd of violence as everyone else.
- Youth street gangs hanging around the bus terminals are a growing concern
- The presence of police, security guards orr bus-drivers reduces the risk factors, and makes transit users feel safer.
- Some police offices and bus drivers need tto learn to treat everyone fairly.
The RMYC sees this study as part of the campaign to create safer communities. Making the transit system safer is a win/win situation for all. This will help to increase the numbers of youth coming to the Youth Centre, and benefitting from the youth-led programs and services available. For the Thunder Bay Transit, there will be more riders feeling confident to use the system at all times. This will also mean a safer southcore neighbourhood for all residents in the area.
The RMYC will be sharing this report with Thunder Bay City Council, the Thunder Bay Police, and the Thunder Bay Transit. We will also post the document on our website: http::/manwoyc@tbaytel.net so that the general public can support the youth who want to make the public transit safer for everyone.
Prepared by: Amal Abu-Bakare. Ashley Atatise, Alison Bortolon, Pauline Fogarty, Eugene Lee, Marcus Ostamus, Shawna Pelletier, Jessica Plumpton, Valentina Rae, Shari Sekhon, Sasha Sky, Charlena Thompson, and Martin Zhang
Sponsored by: The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, The Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation / Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, Thunder Bay Police Services