By Caroline Woon
Daily Bruin Contributor
Waiting for the bus may pose more dangers if it’s in a
neglected area, according to recent UCLA study that found that poor
upkeep may help contribute to certain types of criminal
activity.
Titled “Measuring the Effects of Built Environment on Bus
Stop Crime,” the study analyzes environmental characteristics
of local bus stops and statistics compiled from crime reports in
1994 and 1995. It is the second in a series of studies conducted by
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris and Robin Liggett, professors of urban
planning.
As to why she decided on bus stops for her research,
Loukaitou-Sideris said she was intrigued that stops in close
proximity along the same bus routes are marked by different crime
rates.
“I wanted to see if it was the areas surrounding the bus
stops that matter,” she said.
The results seem to point to a strong relationship between
physical appearance and crime rates.
“Trash, graffiti and a lack of upkeep in the immediate bus
stop environment give the message to criminals that nobody really
cares, that nobody will report their crime,”
Loukaitou-Sideris said. “Even though it’s not the only
factor, safety is, in fact, affected by general
appearance.”
When the question moves to which authorities should be held
responsible for the care and maintenance of local stops, the lines
are often blurred between the Metropolitan Transit Authority and
the LAPD.
“We don’t own any of the stops that our buses stop
at, the cities do. As far as keeping them clean, that’s not
really our responsibility,” said Ed Scannell, spokesman for
the MTA. “But the public should know that we’ve still
sent cleaning crews out to bus stops and that we’ve been
doing that for several years.”
Scannell said the Metro Clean program is an attempt to improve
the conditions of L.A. bus stops, which have been supplanted by the
efforts of many local businesses that maintain the stops
surrounding their establishment.
“The (Metro Clean) crews work all throughout the area that
we service,” Scannell said. “They go out and remove
graffiti, clean sidewalks, sweep and pick up trash. We’re out
doing something that we’re not even required to
do.”
The LAPD acts as the law enforcement agency for the MTA within
L.A. and is in charge of ensuring rider safety on MTA property,
including bus stops.
“We handle transit related incidents, both on the transit
lines and at bus stops within the city,” said Lt. Michael
Brooks. “But we may or may not be responsible for incidents
occurring in surrounding areas.”
Based on the study’s findings, the 10 most crime-ridden
bus stops were primarily located near “negative
land-uses” such as bars, liquor stores and pawnshops, as well
as alleys or mid-block passages, which could provide escape routes
for potential criminals.
A survey of 200 bus riders in 1998 also found that a significant
portion of crimes that are committed at bus stops go
unreported.
“Some believe that nothing will happen if they report
these incidents, that the police cannot recover their
property,” Loukaitou-Sideris said.
“And a good number of people are recent immigrants, mostly
Latina, who are undocumented and cannot go to the
authorities,” she said.
Although only a small proportion of the crimes committed against
bus riders are serious, and are usually limited to minor offenses
such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, Loukaitou-Sideris said
that people are 20 to 30 times more likely to be victimized at
stops that are poorly maintained and stressed the importance of
finding ways to curb the problem.
“Offenses such as pickpocketing, foul language,
drunkenness and obscene gestures are very intimidating to bus
riders, especially women,” she said.
“But there are a number of ways to reduce these crimes.
Unlike railway stations, bus stops can be moved, and it is quite
easy to identify which are the worst cases and to move them,”
Loukaitou-Sideris said. “Sometimes moving them a block or so
will have a lot of impact.”
She added that placing bus stops in well-lit areas that enjoy
high visibility from surrounding establishments would also serve as
a deterrent. As they continue research on the topic, drawing on
more recent data, both professors are optimistic about the impact
that their study may have on future policy.
“Both the LAPD and the MTA have talked about allocating
funds for improving conditions,” Liggett said. “(This
study) has generated more interest than most academic studies are
expected to generate. The responses we’ve had have been very
enthusiastic.”