Tuesday, January 8, 2019

MBTA employee verbally assaulted with racial epithet.

On January 8, 2019 at approximately 10:20AM Transit Police officers assigned to the Central District received a radio call to respond to the MBTA's DTC Orange Line platform for a report of an MBTA employee being harassed by an unknown party. Upon arrival officers met with an MBTA employee, who is African American, and relayed the following: while on the Orange Line north bound platform he (employee) observed a white male standing dangerously close to the yellow line. The employee concerned for the male's safety advised him to stand back so he would be a safe distance from the right of way. The male responded by shouting a racial epithet and behaving in a disruptive and disorderly manner towards the employee. The employee then requested Transit Police respond. The male fled prior to TPD arrival.


Officers conducted an area search but were unable to locate the male. The incident will be further investigated.


Transit Police Chief Green stated " This is a very disappointing and ugly incident. MBTA employees should be free from any form verbal assault particularly involving one's race. I will ensure this incident is investigated and the appropriate action taken. The TPD has zero tolerance for action, however slight, directed towards someone's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other protected class to degrade or demean while on the MBTA system whether as an employee or a patron ."


media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com