More thoughts on what to do when faced with a CTA perv
Amy over a Chicagoist recently had her own encounter with a CTA pervert, and she partially credits CTA Tattler and you readers for help in dealing with the situation:
I can - with certainty - say that I was only able to recognize and handle this situation because of your habit of previously and openly addressing the topic on your blog. You, and your commenters, made me aware that women have experienced crap like this before, on a semi-frequent basis, and also that many women (or other riders) do not end up confronting or stopping this behavior from continuing.
She gives these tips in her post at Chicagoist:
- Direct confrontation is usually the most effective response. Demand that the behavior stop, or loudly announce what is happening.
- If you are able, take a picture of the offender with a cell phone or camera, or ask another passenger to take a picture.
- In a situation where you feel threatened or unsafe, exit the train, and alert the operator or customer assistant.
- Report information or pictures to the Chicago Police, or by calling 311.
Tips for giving a physical description: include height, weight, sex, age, race,
or distinguishing marks and
clothing. Alert the CTA as well, giving additional information like the train car or bus route number, time of day, and where the offender boarded and exited.
Read here and here some recent Tattler posts about further thoughts on CTA perverts.
Just one thing... if you do plan on exiting a train due to safety concerns, make sure it's a safe place to exit (well-lit, occupied). No sense in exiting onto a dark, desolate el platform or bus stop.
Posted by: Dude | July 22, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I have had the dubious honor of witnessing 2 men (different dates) beat it on the single seat in front of my single seat, at the end of the train car on the red line. This was before I had a phone with a camera on it and before I'd grown my big-city backbone. The best I could do was call 311 when I got home and report it but really, what can the cops do at that point? Maybe it helped someone else down the line...oh, well.
That said, one of those articles branded the NY subway groper as a "recidivist transit grinder" and that made me giggle.
Posted by: Erin | July 22, 2008 at 03:48 PM
If those are your dates, perhaps you should look elsewhere for dating material?
I'd post something substantial, but I have nothing...
Posted by: jj | July 22, 2008 at 04:34 PM
I meant dates as in, dates on the calendar...
Posted by: Erin | July 23, 2008 at 11:12 AM
FYI, 311 is for potholes and graffiti. Call 911 when witnessing ANY crime, even if it's vandalism or loitering. The CPD beat officers will tell you at CAPS meetings that they *want* you to call 911 -- because that's how they are dispatched. It does not have to be a life-threatening emergency.
http://tiny.cc/a0ZBc
Posted by: mike | July 23, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I don't see anything on the list about reporting a crime that has already occured.
911 is for use when *immediate action* is needed. People filing reports on crimes that occured in the past shouldn't be jamming the 911 lines.
If you're sitting across the aisle from some guy who's exposing himself, call 911.
If you've left the train, transfered to a bus, and then walked three blocks home, you should *not* be calling 911 to report what happened. You should be calling 311 so they can put the incident on file for investigative and statistical purposes. Calling 911 to get a squad dispatched to get your report is taking them away from crimes in progress, of which there are often plenty.
Posted by: Rusty | July 23, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I said, "when witnessing ANY crime." And if the perv's on the Red going north and you exit at Thorndale, I see no reason why you shouldn't call 911, give them the run number if you can, and tell them where the train is. I've been on several trains over the years that were intercepted by CPD.
Posted by: mike | July 23, 2008 at 04:26 PM