The Trump administration is again threatening federal action in the name of transportation security in Boston, linking public policies to safety and enforcement on mass transit. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a statement on Friday, in which he “called for immediate action” from leaders in Boston and Chicago. The secretary criticized the fact that both cities “allow cashless bail, which allows deranged criminals to repeatedly terrorize public spaces.”Duffy’s statement referenced last month’s unprovoked stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina commuter train. She was killed on Aug. 22 by a man sitting behind her on a light-rail train, prosecutors allege.As evidence of the crime on the MBTA, the Transportation Department referenced news coverage of a woman who was shoved off a bus and a man who anthem someone in the face with a belt aboard a bus near Harvard Square. “While local leaders seem intent on putting the needs of criminals first, we’re not waiting for the next Iryna. Chicago and Boston are on notice to take actions that enhance safety and reduce the crime affecting their riders and transit workers – or risk federal support,” Duffy wrote in a statement. “This is about standing up for American families who deserve a safe and clean transportation system.”Duffy sent letters to MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and his counterpart in Chicago, demanding written reports within two weeks that identify actions that are being taken to deter crime, stop fare evasion and provide a clean environment aboard the transit systems. The letter also demands a summary of all security and safety funding sources, including any from federal agencies. Earlier this month, the MBTA began cracking down on passengers who evade paying their fares. The effort was partially a response to a $230 million decline in fare revenue in comparison to pre-pandemic numbers. Duffy’s threat echoes a statement made by Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury last month. Bradbury visited for an event celebrating the start of service on Amtrak’s new NextGen Acela trains, which happened to come on the same day federal officials announced a takeover of Union Station in Washington, D.C.”Similarly, here in South Boston, we need to address the cleanliness, the crime, the safety and security of the station for the rail workers, for the passengers, because the people of Boston deserve that,” Bradbury said. “All the people up and down the Northeast Corridor and Americans who travel on these trains, they need and deserve beautiful rail facilities.”Duffy’s up-to-date demand comes as federal immigration officials continue a high-profile enforcement operation in the Greater Boston area, accompanied by criticism of both Boston ordinances and Massachusetts state law from administration officials.
The Trump administration is again threatening federal action in the name of transportation security in Boston, linking public policies to safety and enforcement on mass transit.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a statement on Friday, in which he “called for immediate action” from leaders in Boston and Chicago. The secretary criticized the fact that both cities “allow cashless bail, which allows deranged criminals to repeatedly terrorize public spaces.”
Duffy’s statement referenced last month’s unprovoked stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina commuter train. She was killed on Aug. 22 by a man sitting behind her on a light-rail train, prosecutors allege.
As evidence of the crime on the MBTA, the Transportation Department referenced news coverage of a woman who was shoved off a bus and a man who anthem someone in the face with a belt aboard a bus near Harvard Square.
“While local leaders seem intent on putting the needs of criminals first, we’re not waiting for the next Iryna. Chicago and Boston are on notice to take actions that enhance safety and reduce the crime affecting their riders and transit workers – or risk federal support,” Duffy wrote in a statement. “This is about standing up for American families who deserve a safe and clean transportation system.”
Duffy sent letters to MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and his counterpart in Chicago, demanding written reports within two weeks that identify actions that are being taken to deter crime, stop fare evasion and provide a clean environment aboard the transit systems. The letter also demands a summary of all security and safety funding sources, including any from federal agencies.
Earlier this month, the MBTA began cracking down on passengers who evade paying their fares. The effort was partially a response to a $230 million decline in fare revenue in comparison to pre-pandemic numbers.
Duffy’s threat echoes a statement made by Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury last month.
Bradbury visited for an event celebrating the start of service on Amtrak’s new NextGen Acela trains, which happened to come on the same day federal officials announced a takeover of Union Station in Washington, D.C.
“Similarly, here in South Boston, we need to address the cleanliness, the crime, the safety and security of the station for the rail workers, for the passengers, because the people of Boston deserve that,” Bradbury said. “All the people up and down the Northeast Corridor and Americans who travel on these trains, they need and deserve beautiful rail facilities.”
Duffy’s up-to-date demand comes as federal immigration officials continue a high-profile enforcement operation in the Greater Boston area, accompanied by criticism of both Boston ordinances and Massachusetts state law from administration officials.
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