Thread by @tomroussey7news

A Metro board of directors committee approved this today, another vote by the full board is still needed - but comments by the transit police chief made it seem as if MTPD would do very little enforcement at all if and when this goes into effect. (thread) #wmata

https://twitter.com/tomroussey7news/status/1414872233009315846

He says they wouldn't suspend the person's SmarTrip card & they'd only be charged with trespassing if they committed another crime on Metro property while under a ban. #wmata

Q: “I try to get on a train, what happens if I’m banned?”
MTPD Chief: "Theoretically sir you could get on the train & as long as you didn’t commit a criminal offense that drew your attention to the police then you could get on that train, and we would not be aware of it.” #wmata

Board Member Bulger: “So I could get through the fare gates and get on a train even though I’m banned?”
Chief: “Yes sir we would not administratively suspend your smart card privileges, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Bulger: “Seems like a big loophole to me Mr. Chairman.” #wmata

I've asked Metro to clarify because what the MTPD chief said seems to contradict what GM Wiedefeld told me this week about banned riders: "If we were to see them come back on the system, in effect we would arrest them again, we would then charge them with trespassing.” #wmata

UPDATE: Some clarification from Metro spokesperson Sherri Ly: "If an officer happens to recognize someone as being banned the officer could...stop them and run a check."
She added that if the check confirms they're banned the person would be charged with trespassing. #wmata

And a reminder the bans are only given after sexual and weapons crime arrests on Metro property (i.e. on a bus, train, or in a station) and the person is only banned from returning to Metro property. #wmata