SunRail security totally misses the problem

We want to thank SunRail for trying to solve the perpetual, overwhelming trash problem at SunRail’s Lynx Central Station. Unfortunately, that effort was a swing and a miss.

The northbound platform at Lynx Central Station is covered in trash. One of the major factors contributing to that problem is that homeless people camp overnight on the northbound platform, leaving behind empty food and beer containers, flattened cardboard boxes that are used as sleeping pads and biological substances (yes, just what you think).

Every morning before the first northbound train arrives, the SunRail ambassador wakes up the homeless campers and asks them to leave the platform.

After we published numerous posts haranguing about this issue, SunRail hired a security guard to patrol the northbound platform.

Here is what SunRail told us: “Private security has been on duty since August 8. The hours are Monday-Friday, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. They are paid $20/hour, roughly.

“They are there to assist the ambassadors. They are former law enforcement, familiar with community policing and working with the public.

“LYNX Central is the only station to have this. The increased visibility is meant to cut down on loitering, littering, as well as to increase safety. The LYNX Central Station is a key intermodal facility. We anticipate it will see much use by students and faculty attending the new UCF/Valencia campus, who choose to ride SunRail to and from school.

“The security measures will be monitored and adjusted, as needed.”

But wait a minute, the guard is working from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.?

The actual problem is at 5 a.m., not 3 p.m.

SunRail’s solution solves nothing.

Ideally, a security guard would be assigned to the station 24/7. That’s the approach Orange County took when there were some problems at the Sand Lake Road SunRail station. The problems evaporated.

The problems at Lynx Central Station are largely confined to the northbound platform. Issues are few on the southbound platform that is closest to the Lynx bus boarding bays that are patrolled by uniformed, armed security 24/7. Lynx also has at least one person dedicated to cleaning the bus-boarding area.

If SunRail can’t afford around-the-clock security, then at least assign the guard to work from 5 a.m. to 9 or 10 a.m.

Homelessness is a complex social and economic problem that is beyond the responsibility of SunRail. Letting the northbound platform at Lynx Central Station lapse into an unofficial homeless shelter is not a solution. It’s a failure of community and government leadership.

More services for the homeless are badly needed throughout the Central Florida region. Real solutions include livable wages; more mental health services; free access to public restrooms and laundry; transitional and affordable housing options and a drop-in center where homeless people can go during the daytime.

See you on The Rail.