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Jan 28, 2008 5:23 pm US/Eastern
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Teenager Attacked On MTA Bus In Towson
Reporting
Adam May
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ―
A 19-year-old passenger was attacked on board a bus that serves the Towson area. A MTA spokesperson says the teen was attacked during a disturbance on the bus at York Road and Northern Parkway Sunday night.
Adam May reports the bus operator hit the emergency alert button to let dispatch know there was a problem.
MTA police are reviewing surveillance video to try to determine the identity of the suspects.
It's bus attack number five, this time on the number 8 line. The victim was assaulted by a group of teenagers.
The victim boarded the bus in Lutherville and says the suspects boarded the bus in the Towson Commons area. He suffered minor facial injuries but refused medical treatment.
The victim's mother emailed
Eyewitness News to say her son was just coming back from the movies in Towson. MTA officials say he was attacked for no apparent reason.
The driver kicked the teens off at Northern Parkway and York Roads.
Bus violence triggered outrage Dec. 4, when police say a Hampden woman was beaten at the hands of a group of middle school students.
Days later, a teenage girl was stabbed near Mondawmin Mall, and two other teens were taken into custody. Another attack involving two people on a bus in South Baltimore still has police looking for the men responsible. A 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg as a group of teens were getting off another bus.
"Every child is somebody's child, and we have a responsibility to teach them that when they're out in the public, there is a way for them to respond and react," said Senator Catherine Pugh.
Last month, public leaders called for action, and Baltimore's mayor got involved.
"We emphasized to the MTA that they need to enhance their police force," said Dixon.
City police started assisting the MTA, holding meetings with city school officials and beefing up patrols.
"We're fine-tuning our response to maximize our resources," said Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.
In this latest attack, MTA officials declined on-camera interviews but issued the following statement during a news conference.
"Safety is a top priority. Anyone who breaks the law will face serious consequences."
Lawmakers in Annapolis are now considering a bill that would enhance penalties for violence on public transportation.
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