Commuter Complains About People Sleeping on Station Seating

A local commuter who uses the Summit train station emailed Patch to share a complaint about people sleeping on the waiting area benches in the morning.

I have taken this [complaint] to New Jersey Transit and the NJ Transit Police. Sometimes the notice is ignored, sometimes they call the Summit police, and they sometimes walk through the station, but never ask anyone to leave or get up.

Once, they did ask to see everyones' train ticket, but did not ask those without one to leave. The situation gets much worse when the weather gets colder. More and more people camp out in the station overnight.

Today, there were 7 people sleeping on the benches in the station and there were no available seats for me, at 4:50am this morning. And I pay $284 per month for my train pass.

In addition, one of the unfortunate souls was awake playing his raido very loudly and expounding racial slurs and violent threats to all in the station.

The photos attached where from just this morning (Friday, Sept. 21) but go there any morning at 4:30am and it looks like a homeless shelter. 

— John Dyon

What do you think? Is there a problem with people sleeping in the train station waiting area? If so, what should be done about it? Share your thoughts in the comments box below, or email Summit Patch your thoughts.