How to Help There are several ways to get involved with the campaign. For example, you can:
1. Write form letters to our officials - see below for a sample form letter you can use
2. Sign our petition (See "The Issues" for more information)
3. Distribute literature - we have brochures available upon request
4. Organizations may endorse the campaign
5. Help us create awareness - invite CSSS to speak at your events!
SAMPLE LETTER
MTA-METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Date
Your Address
Lawrence Reuter, President
MTA NYC Transit
370 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
RE: Jan. 29 Sexual Assault at Canal St. Station & Need for MTA Safety Measures
Dear Mr. Reuter:
As a New York subway customer, I urge you to resolve a public safety hazard at the Canal Street subway station. As you should know, an Asian American woman was violently raped, beaten and robbed at the Canal Street subway station on Monday, January 29, 2001. When she was attacked she was walking through a long, winding and deserted platform that connects the #6 and N/R trains. This particular platform has not been in operation for several years; the NYPD Transit Police calls it a "dead platform." Even members of the Transit Police describe this station as a security risk. This dead platform is a menace and it is shocking that there are no security measures.
Even the MTA-NYC Transit's website advises in the Safety section: "Avoid standing at the end of subway platforms or on an empty platform." From your own statement it is clear that the MTA recognizes the potential danger at the Canal Street station and therefore, I strongly urge the MTA to do the following at not only the Canal Street station but at all high-risk stations:
1) Install surveillance cameras, emergency call boxes and public telephones;
2) Post multilingual warning signs to alert commuters of the potential dangers;
3) Increase policing of the station by the NYPD Transit Police;
4) Erect security gates at high-risk passageways during off-peak hours; and
5) Make public a list of the 11 high-risk NYC subway stations so that commuters are aware and vigilant.
Thank you for your attention in this matter. I would appreciate a response to my request.
Yours truly,
Signature
Your name
cc:
Kathryn E. Freed, New York City Council
C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Boro President
Bernice Rhinehart, Field Manager, Canal St. Subway Station, MTA
Sheldon Silver, New York State Assembly
CSSS Campaign for Safer Subway Stations
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Here are the addresses for the carbon copies:
Hon. Kathryn E. Freed
NY City Council
51 Chambers Street, Suite 429
NY, NY 10007
Hon. C. Virginia Fields
Office of the Manhattan Borough President
One Centre St., 19th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Bernice Rhinehart
Field Manager Canal Street Station
MTA NYC Transit
370 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hon. Sheldon Silver, 62nd Assembly District
New York State Assembly
250 Broadway, Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
CSSS Campaign for Safer Subway Stations
c/o M. Alcantara-Tan
P.O. Box 507
NY, NY 10159-0507
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