Baseball bat attack victim sues TriMet

SANDY, Ore. – Laurie Chilcote, 73, struggles to walk these days.

Sixteen months ago he was attacked by a 15-year-old wielding a baseball bat near a Gresham MAX platform.

Last week he filed a lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court asking for more than $440,000 for what he says was an attack that could have been prevented with simple security improvements.

Chilcote blames TriMet and the city of Gresham, saying they did nothing to stop numerous violent attacks on TriMet and on the MAX platform.

“They are supposed to protect people on public transportation,” said Chilcote during an interview near his Sandy home.

According to the lawsuit, prior to the date of his attack on Nov. 3, 2007, there were “multiple incidents of assault, battery and other violent activities …” TriMet and the city of Gresham are accused in the lawsuit of “…failing and/or neglecting to provide MAX passengers with adequate TriMet … security personnel on the trains.”

TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said TriMet has made improvements. By July there will be 58 security officers, double the 29 officers working in 2007.

Fetsch said fare inspector numbers have also been doubled and more security cameras were added to MAX cars and platforms.

“And the way they patrol is different,” she said. “We want officers to spend up to 70 percent of their time on the train.”

TriMet also now has former gang members riding the MAX line and buses looking for suspicious activity.

Chilcote still thinks they haven't done enough and does not feel safe using TriMet.