Minnesota Report
The Light Rail Train system is in the middle of a pandemic of fentanyl use. This must stop immediately. No more designation as the 2nd car as the party car. The Metro Transit Police should occupy every car be on every train the entirety of it operations in order to protect the public from these unacceptable people.
There must be an enforcement of all fares not by the Blue Jackets wearing Trip Agents, but by a person able to write tickets. The system of operation needs to be fully wrestled from the control of the addicts. If someone is found smoking anything on the train a pipe, a blunt, a joint or a vape, throw the book at them. Their first violation should result them being photographed and banned for one-year. If they are carrying any Fetanyl paraphernalia such as aluminum foil with black scorches and people carrying straws without a drinking cup are guilty of carrying drug material.
Additionally, if a person is found to be a scofflaw, non-fare payer their picture and name should be taken and when found to be guilty of scofflaw three times they should be banned for one-year. If found sprawled out on bench seats and covered witjh a blanket or sleeping sitting up, this time the charge should be criminal trespass and vagrancy again, three citations and banned for one-year.
It is tiresome to see the transit cops not do their jobs, except sporadically, because they think this will be some type of deterrent, its not. They people just wait them out and return in droves. If they are sitting next to each other and talking to one and other they are dealing, or sharing drugs because normal commuters generally mind their own business. The security cameras on the trains witness the activities and are clear evidence of the crime.
We have said before and will say it again, the only way to address this issue is through undercover plain clothed officers catching people in the act.