Posted: 5/11/2014 3:59:09 PM EDT
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How safe is the NOVA/DC Metro system? Is it relatively safe at night? I understand I will have to engage more awareness, etc at night, but is crime and robbery prevalent and a daily issue at night on the metro?
What are good measures of self defense commuting NOVA/DC? |
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Quoted:
How safe is the NOVA/DC Metro system? Is it relatively safe at night? I understand I will have to engage more awareness, etc at night, but is crime and robbery prevalent and a daily issue at night on the metro? What are good measures of self defense commuting NOVA/DC? Only in Washingtoon. |
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http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/transit_police/crime_stats.cfm
Here is a link to the crime stats. If your going from downtown DC to VA destinations you should be ok. If the job starts to mention Green line, Navy yard, etc, I would think twice about taking the job. DC - no firearms, no ammo cases, etc. |
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You're safer than the boogie men will make you believe.
I'd make sure you always maintain situational awareness. Don't be the only person in a car, don't have headphones in playing music so loud that you can't hear what is going on around you, don't fall asleep, etc. |
Ill be investing in some good Mace. Apparently is has to be registered 
And for me the issue may be not sleeping more than anything. I like to nap on buses, but if Im paranoid about something, I likely won't have that issue. Ill probably just bring a book or magazine to work. My trip will be from Arlington, VA to capitol hill. |
| I think most of the crimes on the Metro Rail are thefts of phones, purses, kindles, etc. so take that for what it's worth. You can also take a Metro bus instead of the train if it is convenient. I switched to the bus a few years ago and it's a little more relaxing than the train. No matter what be aware. |
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I think most of the crimes on the Metro Rail are thefts of phones, purses, kindles, etc. so take that for what it's worth. You can also take a Metro bus instead of the train if it is convenient. I switched to the bus a few years ago and it's a little more relaxing than the train. No matter what be aware. Spot on, there. Property thefts happen all the time, mostly guys grabbing a phone/iPod/etc. and running away. Assault or other crimes happen, but are pretty rare. Keep your eyes open, you'll be OK. I ride every day to/from work, and worry more about somebody getting sick on stepping on my foot than crime. |
| I have used the Metro system regularly for most of the last 20 years. You should be fine. As others have written there have been some issues with theft but rarely are there crimes against persons. Most of that has occurred outside the stations east of the Anacostia River and in PG County. You'll have no reason to go to any of those places. There are buses that go from Arlington into DC. The 38B, 16Y, 16X and a few others. The Blue, Orange and Yellow lines are all good choices though my preference would be the Blue line if you had a choice. Less crowded. |
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During the week for commuting it is fine. watch your six but generally ok. However, stay away from downtown stops durig the weekend evening and late night unless in a large group. The, uhhhh, locals have a habit of picking off individuals for an ass kicking. Metro police admits there is pretty much nothing they can do about it too and it never makes the papers unless someone is hospitialized or weapons are used. anything green line is suspect. more and more, yellow and blue to pentagon city mall from down town is an interesting ride. |
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I was just thinking...while watching House...maybe I could buy a cane? I have a legitimate spine/leg issue. My hips aren't aligned properly, one is rolled forward I think the doc said. Either way, it causes the spine to be slightly crooked, but ultimately I have leg-length discrepancy, causing an extra 1.5-2inch difference from left to right. I do walk with a slight limp. No pain at all, but its there. Cane would also be a good self defense tool. Could get a collapsable cane and not use it when Im not on the metro.
Or Im just a tool who has been watching too much House, and Im paranoid. Or maybe Im rational for not wanting my ass beat in the city, because Im from the country, and I lug around a .45 to suppress that issue. |
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The metro stations are crawling with cops. Most crime takes place out in the parking lots. As another poster mentioned, these are primarily property crimes. If you park at one, you might come back to your car to find a smashed window and your stuff missing. I've always felt safe on the metro, even when I was living in New Carrollton.
If you are determined to carry a self defense measure, stick with mace. You might get hassled about it trying to go into certain buildings. The GF had to toss hers at the Capital just last month. http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/mace-pepper-spray-and-self-defense-sprays |
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If you are commuting normal working hrs, you should be fine. I'd ditch the mace, but if your walking issues justify it, get a good walking cane to get into the Capitol. Going into the Capitol requires screening almost at TSA airport levels, and the Capitol Police are very professional. I believe that a cane would get through easier than mace. I ride the subway often from one office in Rosslyn (Arlington) to Capitol Hill (Federal Center Southwest/South Capitol) and feel pretty secure. IM or email me (or send me your number if you want a call) to cover any specifics. |
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Not an option to stay in VA side. Ill live in Arlington, but I will be working in D.C. on capitol hill. And I will be CCWing on the ride. Not my gun, but my Mace pistol. And a knife, self defense light...Probably a big ol' maglite. If you are working on capital hill forget the knife, all visitors and even staff members have to go through metal detectors. Only the congressman and senators get to pass around them. |
| The DC metro is perfectly safe! Ive been on it hundreds of times. They even have apps for the timing schedule too! They make it very convenient for us. Ive never had a problem late at night either. It may seem a little off but we are in the safest area to live in. |
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Mace/OC/etc needs to be registered with the MPD (seriously). Not exactly, let's not spread half-truths: From the MPDC: http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/mace-pepper-spray-and-self-defense-sprays It is legal for a person over the age of 18 to possess self-defense sprays in the District of Columbia, such as mace or pepper spray. However, under D.C. Official Code § 7-2502.12, the only legal types of self-defense sprays are “a mixture of a lacrimator including chloroacetophenone, alphacloracetophenone, phenylchloromethylketone, orthochlorobenazalm-alononitrile or oleoresin capsicum.” Additionally, the self-defense spray must be propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with clearly written instructions for use, and dated with its anticipated useful life. If a person purchases a self-defense spray from a person or business located in the District, the seller will provide a registration form to be completed by the purchaser. The seller is then required to forward this registration form to the MPD Firearms Registration Section. A person may use a self-defense spray only as reasonable force to defend themselves or their property and only if the self-defense spray meets the requirements above. For further information, please visit the MPD Firearms Registration Section, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20001 or contact them at (202) 727-4275. |
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When I looked at the regs I didn't see any provision for where you purchased it. All I saw was it had to be registered with MPD, so I read it as you had to fill out the form and send it in no matter where you bought it. If I'm wrong then I'm wrong, and I apologize. Since DC is pretty liberal on it's interpretation of the law I'd send the form in and keep a copy of it in my pocket, just to CYA.
§ 7-2502.14. Registration of self-defense sprays (a) A person 18 years of age or older must register the self-defense spray at the time of purchase by completing a standard registration form. (b) The vendor must forward the registration form to the Metropolitan Police Department. HISTORY: Sept. 24, 1976, D.C. Law 1-85, title II, § 214, as added Mar. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 9-244, § 2, 40 DCR 647. NOTES: PRIOR CODIFICATIONS. --1981 Ed., § 6-2324. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF LAW 9-244. --For legislative history of D.C. Law 9-244, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-2502.12. |