After being attacked at random, a university student in Edmonton missed nearly a week of classes because she was afraid to ride the bus.
Outside the Jasper Place Transit Center, Rebecca Busch claimed to have been pepper-sprayed.
The encounter, according to Busch, was one of the most agonising things she had ever gone through.
“My eyes started to burn. My lips and nose were both burning. Nothing alleviated the suffering.
Janie Busch, her mother, discovered her curled up in a ball outside the bus hub.
The incident was confirmed by Edmonton Police to Global News on Friday. According to the police, Busch and the lady who pepper-sprayed her were strangers. The event is still under investigation by the police, and the suspect has not been located.
Since she was 13, Rebecca frequently rides the bus. Although she claimed that this was her scariest transit experience, she had had other instances where she felt frightened.
The City of Edmonton implemented additional transportation safety procedures in response to outrage over a number of high-profile incidents earlier this year.
“Since May 2022, TCAT has been actively patrolling assigned LRT spaces wearing highly visible uniforms so the public and transit riders are aware of peace officer presence in these spaces.
According to David Jones, branch manager of community standards and neighbourhoods for the City of Edmonton, proactive peace officer patrols took place 75% more frequently in September and October than in the first two months of 2022.
“…
To decide whether the initiative will continue, a thorough evaluation will be conducted. Nevertheless, preliminary data shows that it is delivering the expected involvement and strategy to promote transportation safety.
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There aren’t enough resources to go around, according to Steve Bradshaw of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569, although initiatives like TCAT and COTT have been beneficial.
In order to find out whether more peace officers would be added, Bradshaw said he is expecting city budget deliberations.
However, Rebecca Busch asserted that she must alter considerably sooner.
“I skipped four days of school because I didn’t want to take the bus. I know I will eventually have to deal with it once more, but ETS needs to take action. I want to feel secure.
Random bear spraying of a university student at the transport hub in Edmonton
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