Security Backlash: Subway Workers Frequently Attacked

China Daily reported earlier this week that 20 Beijing subway security workers have been attacked by passengers this month alone, and bag-scanning station workers have reported almost daily abuse from impatient commuters. While we’re loath to defend assaults on subway workers (or anyone else for that matter), passengers’ anger is hardly surprising.

The article quotes Jia Peng, a spokesman with the Beijing Subway Company: “Some travelers, who have not been checked at a subway station before, may have some misunderstanding about what the security checks are.”

Or perhaps passengers understand the “checks” all too well.

While the intention behind subway security is obviously benevolent, the scanners are often placed in narrow passages, creating huge bottlenecks of commuters, especially during peak hour. The pushing and aggression that results would make Gandhi want to hit someone.

Passengers might be more understanding about delays if the checkpoints were remotely effective. Screeners are frequently are not even paying attention, ignoring the x-ray screens or letting people walk by without checking their bags.

Even when security personnel are paying attention, all a would-be attacker has to do is slip his or her weapon of mass destruction into a pocket and saunter on through. But then, why bother even getting on a train? The “security” checkpoints have created the perfect target – huge, slow moving crowds trapped in confined spaces.

The subway checkpoints are a classic case of “security theater” – measures taken to create the illusion of safety. At best they achieve nothing. At worst they have made the system more dangerous. It’s little wonder that passengers are frustrated.