MAX attack sparks safety changes

TriMet chief increases security after elderly man beaten with baseball bat at Gresham light rail station

By Jim Redden

LocalNewsDaily.com, Nov 4, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (119 Reader comments)

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TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen is calling for a transit safety summit and increasing security along the agency's MAX line rail line.

The changes come in the wake of the Saturday baseball bat beating of an elderly man by a 15-year-old suspected gang member at the Gresham Central Transit Center.

“I am directing these changes in order to increase the oversight of our transit system and improve the quality of service to all of our riders,” said Hansen. “I want everyone who rides TriMet or would like to ride TriMet to feel safe, secure and that they can call upon any TriMet employee for help or to answer a question.”

A Multnomah County grand jury will hear the case Friday.

Abel Antonio Chavez-Garcia was arrested at the scene on charges First Degree Assault, Attempted Murder and First Degree Criminal Mischief. Gresham police identified him as a gang member who they have encountered before.

The victim, Sandy resident Laurie Lee Chilcote, 71, is at the Oregon Health and Sciences University recovering from extensive head injuries. He has been moved from the Neurological Intensive Care Unit, where he had originally been admitted, and is reported to be in stable condition.

According to the Gresham police, the incident apparently began around 9:10 p.m. when three juveniles, who had been riding the same eastbound train as Chilcote, followed him off the train at the Gresham Central Transit Center, 400 NE 8th Ave.

Chavez-Garcia allegedly taunted Chilcote as an "old man," and then attacked him with a baseball bat he was carrying with him.

When the man fell down, a woman stepped forward to help him, Piluso said. The attacker threatened her and she stepped back, however.

Other witnesses called 911 to report the attack. When Gresham police showed up, they used a police dog to track down the alleged attacker, who Piluso said had lingered in the area.

The day before the attack, Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis announced city police will begin patrolling the MAX light rail line because of increasing crime along it.

Although TriMet police usually patrol the MAX line, Bemis said many people have told him that their presence is not strong enough to deter crime.

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