As I continue this article from the previous edition, I would like to make it perfectly clear that the purpose of this is not to put down the Metro Transit Police. Truthfully, 95 percent of my dealings with these officers have been on a positive basis. The aim of these articles is to expose the action of some of the less desirable officers, in contrast to the more desirable officers.
The first time that I sold the paper at the Eastern Market Metro Station, a seemingly Asian American officer gave me a $50 citation for vending within 20 feet of a wall. He had not given me any advance warning that I was breaking the law and when I asked him, “How far is 20 feet?”, he didn’t know. I then paced off eight steps and continued to vend the paper. He shook his head and left. I paid the fine, went to court and the case was dismissed. However, I couldn’t get my money back. From then on I have never paid the fines; I merely went to court to find the charges were dropped.
The most recent event occurred when I arrived at Eastern Market station, expecting the forecasted heavy rain. I was about 10 minutes into my 5 to 6 p.m. shift of vending the paper when a blonde, blue-eyed female officer approached me and asked what I was doing.
I explained the purpose of the Street Sense paper, in my usual way, and noticed she was looking at the first page. Then she asked, “Where’s your badge?” I explained to her that I was robbed at gunpoint and I hadn’t gotten another badge from the office yet. She then said that I should leave because the paper says, “Please buy from a badged vendor.” My response was “I’ve been here for 11 years. I don’t need a badge for my regular customers to know that I sell Street Sense.” An argument ensued because I knew my rights and she was looking for a reason to tell me to leave, as others have done in the past.
She decided to enforce a rule that was not part of her jurisdiction. All of a sudden another Street Sense vendor, Leon Valentine, appeared and asked her what the problem was. She stated her opinion of the situation, to which he responded “This man has been here for 11 years. He is a Street Sense vendor and so am I.” He showed her his vendor ID. Then she said, “Well, since you have a badge, he can sell the paper as long as you are standing here with him.” Then she walked away.
After the officer left us, Leon and I talked for a moment. I thanked him for coming to my aid and told him that I didn’t expect him to stay with me. I also told him that the officer was about to get herself in trouble if she continued with this harassment. He left and I continued to sell the paper. In hindsight, I realize that I was wrong to vend the paper without a valid ID; however, in my opinion it was none of her business.
As I mentioned in the previous issue, it was the second day of the Phase 2 Safe Track refurbishment. Hundreds of thousands of commuters were forced to exit at Eastern Market station to continue their commute on either a Benning Road or Minnesota Avenue shuttle bus. The Metro staff was telling people where to go on an individual basis.
It began to rain hard and the commuters were pausing under the Metro escalator canopy to open their umbrellas or wait for a break in the downpour before continuing on. The space under the canopy became very crowded. During this time I used my baritone voice, somewhat loudly, to direct the crowds to the proper shuttle bus. In addition, I requested of the crowd to keep an exit and entrance way open and a way to the escalators clear so that people could get in and out safely and easily. As the African American officer observed these actions, he looked back at me with a look that I interpreted as surprise and approval.
The blonde female officer was also under the canopy and observed my actions. At about 6 p.m. I was leaving and I said to her, “I’m done for the day.” Her response was, “Have a nice day,” but with a negative and sarcastic tone in her voice. As I passed the other officer and bid him farewell he responded enthusiastically, saying “Thank you so much! We appreciate your assistance!”
This two-part series has been a comparison/contrast of the types of Metro Transit Police officers that I have experienced over the last 11 years. The vast majority are good officers, but occasionally I encounter what I consider a bad apple.
