Proposal to ban criminals from NYC subways is unworkable, skeptics say

[mark1447]

In an attempt to put the brakes on marauders stealing high-end electronics from its subway passengers and bus riders, the MTA is poised to prohibit the thieves from using the labyrinth that is the transportation system.

 

It's a great idea on paper, law enforcers and commuters agree, but enforcing the ban may be impractical if not downright impossible.

 

MTA Board Member Allen Cappelli floated the idea of a ban at a meeting earlier this week, suggesting that judges write orders of protection to keep thieves off transportation premises.

 

"One way we can help to enforce it is in working together with the police department," Cappelli said. "It makes it easier for law enforcement to do its job."

 

Having a written order of protection might be enough of a deterrent to keep some out of the MTA's system, but not all, said Peter Spencer, spokesman for the Staten Island District Attorney's Office. Basically, a banned individual would have to be arrested or stopped for some other crime or suspicious behavior at a MTA facility, and the officer making the stop could then see if there is an order of protection against that person; then they could face the additional charge, Spencer explained.

 

Source & More:

 

http://www.silive.co...inals_from.html

[RTS CNG Command]

If it were smaller with less people taking the trains, then it might work somewhat. But this is New York! The subway is incredibly massive with millions of people flocking in and out everyday. Some of the major stations such as Atlantic Avenue, Penn Station, Grand Central, Times Square, Wall Street, and Union Square won't work under this plan because they're incredibly crowded during most parts of the day. As great the idea is on paper, the proposal flopped before the idea even existed.

[TwoTimer]

I think the idea wasn't about keeping them out the subway, but making sure once they go back in (the idea of thieves always return to the scene) and do something else, something stronger can be done to keep them behind bars longer.

[Grand Concourse]

If they are repeat offenders: stealing iphones etc, then they should wear those ankle monitoring bracelets. That way they can always be tracked and if they were responsible for committing another crime, then that should be an automatic strike 3 and their asses are back in prison.

[TwoTimer]

They'd be back in prison anyway, monitoring device or not.

[Grand Concourse]

yeah, true. But at least it would get the civil rights groups off the cops for keeping 'minor'* criminals like that locked up 'for life'. If they want to stay on the streets, they should wear the bracelets for 'a very long time'. Basically they are 'free', but big brother will be on them the moment they go back to stealing.

 

*obviously a big range of offenses, but for argument's sake: assuming these are just snatch and run types, no physical harm done to the victim.

[Joe]

We all know how good laws are at preventing crime and criminal behavior.

[Grand Concourse]

Unfortunately, we have scumbag lawyers that lets those very criminals back on the street. Thus we can never live in an ideal world where 2 bit thugs stays locked up behind bars.

[Roadcruiser1]

You can't stop all criminals. Not unless if you have people at the gate checking all the personal records of the people that are entering the subway.

[Joe]

You can't stop all criminals. Not unless if you have people at the gate checking all the personal records of the people that are entering the subway.

 

 

Have the station agents screening passengers as they enter the system. It'd be just like the TSA.

[Roadcruiser1]

My idea was joke. I know that screening isn't workable in practice.