Sorry, can't resist:

Gresham police believe the fact that there is a Max stop at 162nd and East Burnside where a lot of people get on and off of trains and congregate may be one reason for the violent crime in the area. They also think apartment complexes that “aren’t careful” about who they rent to may be partially to blame.

Keep that rotten Gang carrying, drug pushing hunk of crap out of the Couv, please.

If the Couv doesnt get MAX hwo will they transport criminals easily?

I have people looking for apt property and they have specifically stated NOT the light-rail corridor due to crime and govt restrictions on building (like no parking and having to build >2 stories for approval).

Welcome to the future.

Wow....the main reason I dont take the train east past Lloyd Center any more.
And I thought the "transit-oriented development" and density was supposed to create more friendly neighborhoods?

Just keep your head down and ignore the brats on the MAX...its safer.

It’s bad form to quote yourself, but here is the note I just sent to Cabbie on another thread:
“You tell me I’m missing the point but then make no effort whatsoever to come up with a rational point of your own. Are you saying that if not for the MAX and evil planners, “these” people would be living in nice snout houses in Tigard, using their garage door openers to avoid all contact with their neighbors and, therefore, any temptation to act in antisocial ways? I know you’re not, as that would be insane. They would be living in a crappy apartment complex a few yards away and acting in exactly the same way at the local park, strip mall or parking lot. The only difference would be that those among “them” that want to fight their way out of poverty would have fewer options of getting to where the jobs are.
Poor little MAX. He gets blamed for crime in Gresham and blamed for gentrification (i.e. lower crime) in North Portland. The boy can’t get a break from you people.”

I don't think anyone is arguing that light rail creates crime. But it does seem to attract crime.

We should all consider that the development rail projects generate comes primarily through government subsidies, while the crime it attracts comes all on its own - no subsidies required.

Actually the real story here isn't MAX it's the fact that gentrification in the City of Portland have driven the poor (including the criminal poor) out of the City.

Think about it or am I imagining that most of the stories about gang bangers, and substandard housing have Gresham as the tagline. Gresham, rapidly becoming Oakland to Portland's San Francisco.

Greg C

*****Keep that rotten Gang carrying, drug pushing hunk of crap out of the Couv, please.*****

Oh give me a break. Like trafic in east Vancouver wasn't tied up for two hours last week while police chased down a team of executioners imported from Mexico. Or did I imagine that the attempted murder of that Vancouver drug dealer and the subsequest chase didn't happen.

Vancouver chasing Gresham to be Oakland to Portland's San Francisco.

Greg C

It's bad form to repeat myself, so I won't. Just put on your bifocals and look at the part of the police officer's quote I put in bold print. Those guys get a much bigger dose of what goes on out there than I do, and I've had my nose rubbed in it plenty, so when they talk, I sit up and listen.

What I do might be really scary and unpleasant at times, but it keeps me very, very in touch with the everyday reality of how our city is evolving, and that is priceless, to me anyway.

Of course when a city hits several million people it needs commuter rail, duh. I've been saying for years that instead of 100% free-access train platforms that can be never realistically be policed 24/7, we need turnstiles and controlled access train platforms, like in a real city. It won't eliminate the gangs and violent crime that rail corridors and density attract in areas that seem like they almost have been zoned as slums by METRO, but it's at least a baby step. I would bet that the people in that area who pay to use the MAX in order to get to work or school to improve their lives would agree.

Cabbie,

Except for the "crime that rail corridors and density attract" bit I actually agree you. There I said it.

I also want a return of conductors on buses and trains, elevator operators and doormen. One of the reasons things were better in "the good old days" was that more people were watching the public realm. It's good for the unemployment rate too.