Making security theater a little less unsafe

First, and second and third and more than that...  It is terrible when someone finds that way onto the tracks that doesn't want to, either accidentally or on purpose. But building barriers on subway platforms is only microscopically going to reduce this from happening. Also they're success is unmeasurable. But people who benefit were enjoy fear-mongering are saying that the subway is dangerous and something must be done. So the MTA is installing permanent fences on the subway platform in the areas where the doors do not open on the subway cars. I feel this only makes people feel the subway is more dangerous because things are being done to to prevent a bad thing that very rarely happens. Whatever.

In articles about them they would describe as better than nothing. But since I am a disability writes activist fighting with the MTA or the time , I was given a tour of one of the first stations to have them installed. I actually said nothing would be better than these. They created unsafe condition for someone with a mobility impairment. I told the engineers that they were a trip hazard.I took a picture of how they're connected to the platform.The base of each barrier as a mounting bracket about three or four inches square and a bolt holding it into the ground on each corner. I told them someone like myself who drags their feet could trip over it or someone with a vision impairment who's walking close to it could also trip and fall right onto the platform. I snapped the picture on the left at the Clark Street station.

About 9 months later without any warning ( or a parent necessity) these barriers were installed at Grand Army Plaza. The subway station that I would refer to as my home station. I took a look at them and lo and behold! They redesigned the way they're mounted to the platform. The bolts are completely underneath the leg of the fence. They're still useless but slightly less of a trip hazard.

Now we just have to paint them bright yellow so my visually impaired friends are less likely to bump right into them.

This reminded me of the one time that I sent one email and made the government fix something. It reminded me that sometimes something could be made better but no one realized how easy it was to fix it. The second closest subway station to where I live is 7th Avenue for the B&Q train. I really need to hold on to the rail when I walk downstairs and I really need to hold it with my right hand.Have to finishing a marathon It's especially tough and I noticed the rail going down from Flatbush Avenue at that station was lower than the rest of the rails.I had to lean over to hold on to it securely. Every other hand rail on every other staircase seem to have some standard height that I was used to. I filled out the complaint form and a few weeks later I got a boilerplate email saying that the problem had been rectified. I really thought that was a bullshit response but then I went over to the subway station and I saw the old holes where the rail was and they lifted it a few inches and drilled it in a little higher. Also,Many of the other handrails on the other staircases in that station had been raised to the appropriate height They didn't just fix the one I complained about they fixed them all. 

If you read this far do me a favor....  Next time you feel like screaming at the sky because you don't like the clouds go figure out who actually gets stuff done. Call the governmental agency and politely tell them they have a problem. Don't think they're not listening.