History chart of light rail crime

Below are links to the year of the crime stories along the Max, thanks to Ortem.org .

1988 crime news stories along Light Rail
“We don’t see it as a big problem, but every time a crime is committed, obviously it’s a big problem for the victim,” said Phill Colombo, a public information officer for Tri-Met.

1989 crime news stories along Light Rail
The Portland Tri-Met police unit, which will start patrolling buses and MAX trains May 15, will be flexible and innovative, officials at the Portland Police Bureau promised Friday.

1990 crime news stories along Light Rail
Rockwood policing plan slated to yield immediate impact

1991 crime news stories along Light Rail
ROCKWOOD SAFETY TEAMS RIDE MAX TO CURB CRIME

1992 crime news stories along Light Rail
“We don’t feel the least bit discouraged,” Johnson said. The Gresham Police Department is changing its structure to encourage community policing, which emphasizes solving neighborhood problems before they get out of control.

1993 crime news stories along Light Rail
Tri-Met spokesman Johnson said the transit agency worried about public opinions. “Our position is that we’re very concerned about the perception people have about their safety on Tri-Met and we are very concerned about this incident.”

1994 crime news stories along Light Rail
Riders waiting for MAX or departing the train may be robbed or assaulted. A young Gresham woman waiting for a train at a station on 188th Avenue and Southeast Stark Street recently was harassed by three youths and hit in the face by one of them.

1995 crime news storiesa long Light Rail
But Gresham police Lt. Raymond Kelsay believes car thefts are rising for other reasons. Gresham’s population is up, and the MAX trains make it easy for someone to travel from Portland, steal a car and drive away, he said.

1996 crime news stories along Light Rail
Tri-Met will improve security on the MAX system by installing surveillance cameras in trains and adding them at some of its busiest stations.

1997 crime news stories along Light Rail
However, even without that demand, Tri-Met would work to guarantee the system is safe for all riders, said Tom Walsh, Tri-Met general manager.

– Portland Police Chief Charles Moose asked critics to be patient with Tri-Met as the transit agency shifts toward community policing.

– Still, Tri-Met is faced with skeptics who thought they heard the same message from the transit agency four years ago but didn’t see much action.

1998 crime news stories along Light Rail

1999 crime news stories along Light Rail
Rockwood group proposes citizen patrol to reduce light rail problems

2000 crime news stories along Light Rail
TRI-MET TOUTS WESTSIDE MAX SAFETY

2001 crime news stories along Light Rail
Officers will focus on the high-density housing packed along the MAX line

2002 crime news stories along Light rail coming soon

2003 crime news stories along Light rail
DEALERS MOVE DRUGS ON MAX

2004 crime news stories along Light rail
TRIMET ALTERS RULE ON UNRULY

2005 crime news stories along Light rail
After all, in 20 years, Rockwood has deteriorated from a modest but respectable middle-class neighborhood to an area struggling with poverty and crime.

2006 crime news stories along Light Rail
Group pushes safety to the MAX on 82nd

2007 crime news stories along Light rail

2007 Time to get serious about MAX safety
Again!