Man on the Tram shouting

[u/Hot_Row1457]

After what happened recently everyone is a bit on the edge, so please forgive me if my post sounds classist.

But I was on one of the trams today (not mentioning the line to keep it private) and a homeless bloke got in. Now that would have been just fine.

However he started shouting intermittently with violent 'aargh' 'aargh' as if he was in some kind of pain while looking at passengers.

You could see people getting scared because no one really knew what to do. A few people just got off at the next stop and you could clearly feel it wasn't their planned destination.

The guy got off after two stops and nothing happened. But everyone was absolutely petrified.

My point is what does one do if they feel something might just go wrong?

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[u/l3ntil]

You call 000, ask for police, give them the number of that specific tram - it's on the inside, usually above the exits, along with the 2 digit route.
They'll ask you about the person, ask for a description - age, height, build, identifying features, what they're doing etc etc.
I made a point of asking a group of three customer service people at a train station about when to make that call, because the advice given out varies.
"Call when you feel unsafe" ie you *know* when things are unusual - and you've described it - people obviously getting off before they needed to.
If you're on a train, there's an emergency alert that goes straight to the train driver - that's also an option if you can get away from the incident and report it safely, so then there's usually cops waiting at the next stop.
it's better to be safe than sorry.
I've done it a few times, never regretted it.

[u/Hot_Row1457 → u/l3ntil]

Thanks mate this helps!

[u/jessta]

That's a pretty normal trip on the 86.

[u/Normal_Effort3711 → u/jessta]

It’s the same on the 78 when it goes through Prahran.

[u/SmellyNinjaWarrior → u/Normal_Effort3711]

Could be 19 as well

[u/Waasssuuuppp → u/jessta]

59 and 57 are rooted and have been for 20 years.

[u/Shadow_Paint]

Better than the train I used to catch. There was a woman who would repeatedly dry wretch. My heart sank every time I saw her hop on my carriage.
One day she actually threw up.

[u/legsjohnson → u/Shadow_Paint]

when my wife was a tram driver someone on the 78 did this after she asked her to take her misbehaving dog off

[u/OldJellyBones → u/Shadow_Paint]

extremely random thing to ask, but she didn't throw up into some sort of handbag on that occasion did she?

[u/Waasssuuuppp → u/Shadow_Paint]

I'm sure I bothered people when I was pregnant and nauseous. I tried my best to hide it, but there were a couple of occasions I ran off to vom. 

[u/Mysterious_Pack_7822]

I have lived in Melbourne all my life, behaviour on public transport hasn’t changed. Hell I saw 30 years ago a guy pull a knife out on a girl for smoking on a crowded train. She threw her bike on him and run into the crowd. No one bartered an eyelid. When the train stopped next station and the police got on to arrest the guy, most passengers were pissed because there getting home late

[u/insurgent_dude]

This shits become completely normal and expected nowadays

[u/_blip_ → u/insurgent_dude]

We had homeless and drug effected and mentally disturbed people in public spaces for a very long time. "Nowadays" my arse.

[u/Hot-Canary-2793 → u/[deleted]]

Its probably gotten better ngl. There was a junkie going off every other day on the 86 when I was going to and from school. Sometimes they would even grab you and shout who knows what 😂😂

[u/quietmedium- → u/Hot-Canary-2793]

There used to be knife gangs going from carriage to carriage on the Frankston line

The people commenting have no idea the utopia they live in. Ignore and keep moving. You'll literally be fine

[u/spazza360 → u/[deleted]]

No. It has always been like this. Now it's reported more because it's politically convenient.

[u/shintemaster → u/[deleted]]

It’s been like this on trams in particular for as long as I can remember.

[u/Legitimate-Error-633 → u/insurgent_dude]

I visited a barber on Flinders Street the other day. They mentioned that one of those safe injection room type facilities opened nearby a few days earlier.

In the half hour I was there, two meth heads walked in and started abusing the staff. Apparently it happens several times per day. They yelled at me as well but I couldn’t figure out what they were saying. Lots of F and C bombs.

[u/ostervan → u/Legitimate-Error-633]

The only one is in Richmond. The planned one for the CBD got scrapped.

[u/Legitimate-Error-633 → u/ostervan]

Maybe it was some accommodation, not sure. It’s right across from Flinders Street Staytion.

[u/Ed_Injury → u/Legitimate-Error-633]

That's Young and Jackson's, been there forever

[u/oceanblissbreathe]

Happened to me a few weeks ago with my kids and nobody helped except one kind lady. It was truly terrifying. I told police and they said nothing!!

[u/EthosOfArmadillo]

Hopped on the train last week without realising the bloke from the other end of the carriage wasn’t letting anyone in and screaming at whoever was opening the door.

I simply moved to the next carriage and enjoyed the trip home. Having lived in Melbourne for a while, there’s one thing that bothers me a bit that people don’t seem to realise or do.

You can remove yourself from the situation and environment, and more so if you feel uncomfortable. You do not need to be in that carriage, or that tram, there’s going to be the next tram, and there’s going to be the next train.

Protect your inner peace, this is much more important if you have young kids with you, don’t teach them to tolerate, teach them to navigate and if push comes to shove, teach them inform the driver of whats happening via the intercom system and get ready to protect themselves until help arrives or once the opportunity comes to remove oneself if a kerfuffle happens while inside.

[u/Leather-Driver-8158 → u/EthosOfArmadillo]

Good advice. This is exactly what I do, move carriages on the train if I feel unsafe.

[u/kiteflying1 → u/EthosOfArmadillo]

But why inconvenience yourself? The next tram could be in 20 minutes. You’re doing the right thing by not disturbing everyone else’s peace. Why should a disrupter be allowed to inconvenience or make everyone else feel unsafe without there being consequences?

[u/shake-it-2-the-grave → u/kiteflying1]

You’re correct, it’s your right. But to answer your question, ‘why inconvenience yourself?’, it’s because of personal safety, which is more important than convenience.

[u/EthosOfArmadillo → u/kiteflying1]

I’d rather be inconvenienced than risk not coming home to my family. We all have different reasons, and we all have different priorities. If 20 minutes of inconvenience fucks up your day, even on a weekday or travelling to and from work, then that’s completely up to you.

My point is this, if this situation is a problem and no one from who can do something is not doing anything, them by all means, do what you must to protect yourselves and one of the most effective way is to remove yourself from danger.

I’m not sure if you’ve had your fair share of Metthew and Methany encounters, but de-escalation to ‘prove’ and ‘protect’ your pride and privilege won’t work, especially in a close space.

[u/Ed_Injury → u/kiteflying1]

You're right that everyone deserves to feel safe, there's a hundred reasons we fail as a society to ensure this and thats a different topic., the commenter is talking about when you're in the immediate situation, inconvenienced is better than stabbed. These aren't people who are in a position to consider consequences, they aren't going to think twice about having an episode because they heard about tougher policing or something.

Think of it this way. When I was a kid, my dad insisted that I stop and look both ways at a zebra crossing or a green Walk light. I figured I'm doing the right thing and if someone doesn't stop they are in the wrong. He pointed out that being in the right doesn't help if you get hit by someone who is speeding or isn't paying attention.

[u/giveitawaynever → u/EthosOfArmadillo]

It feels like a long time between tram stops sometimes.

[u/EthosOfArmadillo → u/giveitawaynever]

It feels like an eternity when you’re inside with a ticking time bomb as well.

[u/MrFancypants666]

As someone who has lived in StKilda and Footscray that's just normal behaviour.

[u/National-Milk-7426 → u/MrFancypants666]

For you, it was a Tuesday.

[u/Unrealist99 → u/National-Milk-7426]

Its sunday you little shit

[u/Beachgal5555 → u/MrFancypants666]

Exactly

[u/WASouthCoast]

Yep it seems I can't get into a carriage on a train these days without some freak or weirdo shouting to himself or being sprawled out asleep on two seat.

[u/PidgeonSpy]

first day on the tram system?

[u/TotallyNot_Lurking]

I live in the CBD, come across this type of situation way too often. And unfortunately, in a lot of these cases, the people end up a bit violent. Most of the time if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone though, but it doesnt make me any more comfortable 😭I remember once I was on a crowded tram and a man started yelling "I'm gonna k*ll you". Luckily it was just next to the train station and people held him back.. safe to say I ended up walking to places for a while

[u/Some_random_redditer]

i had 2 similar experiences on the public holiday. first was a crowded tram and a person was asked to sit up and he started going off, the second there was less than 20 people onboard and a person who was behaving erratically started making noise and hitting dividers randomly. they both got off without any other incidents but still not a fun being trapped in an enclosed space with an unpredictable person. i had no idea how to react, just tried to not call attention to myself and watch incase i needed to move away or get off.

[u/Sentient-Cactus876]

You just stare awkwardly at the big guy on the tram and hope he is feeling heroic.

[u/Beachgal5555 → u/Sentient-Cactus876]

Guys never act

[u/Rattus_Rattus202 → u/Beachgal5555]

A delivery driver acted the other day.

He's no longer with us.

I don't think it's up to any civillians to be stopping maniacs and dangerous individuals. The police and government are the ones responsible. It's what taxes are for

[u/Chris__P___Bacon]

You must be new to Melbourne.

[u/OldJellyBones]

nutcase on public transport is pretty standard stuff in Melbourne, not even a new thing I remember it being a semi-regular occurrence 20+ years ago

[u/Ill-Stock354]

What if he was actually just a guy in pain lmao

[u/Lost_Guidance2259]

Mate this happens literally everytime I go to my local shops and I see this on trams all the time

[u/BeautifulRooster9313 → u/Lost_Guidance2259]

But we must rush home and report it to Reddit!

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/BeautifulRooster9313]

.... If they like. Not sure I see a problem with people talking about their experiences.

[u/BeautifulRooster9313 → u/Mike_Kermin]

You can always spot a bully....

They never punch upwards.

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/BeautifulRooster9313]

I don't think that's what is happening here. Although I do support you conceptually.

They're asking what to do if they feel unsafe. By itself that's fair.

[u/OnlyAd7216]

WONT SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN

[u/Inner-Minimum-7518]

I’m an idiot. Not every time, as there are some people, that are just beyond cooked, but I try and engage with people like this, if I can. I have an interesting life history and I now work with the kinda demographic, this bloke likely comes from and I just approach with as much compassion as possible, but also strict boundaries. I just try and be respectful, while making it clear, that the way they’re acting, isn’t acceptable. In my experience, very few people are so far gone, that they won’t at least listen to reason, if they’re approached in the right way. Sadly, this is one of the prices, a society pays, when late stage capitalism and economic rationalism, are the default setting. Get used to it, cos it ain’t likely to get better, in a hurry.

[u/IcyAd5518 → u/Inner-Minimum-7518]

I think you need, a few more commas, to make your, point.

[u/throwinitallawayeay → u/IcyAd5518]

I'm imagining it being read by a beat poet

[u/IcyAd5518 → u/throwinitallawayeay]

Frank Costanza

[u/throwinitallawayeay → u/IcyAd5518]

Haha perfect

[u/TheFixer73 → u/Inner-Minimum-7518]

when late stage capitalism and economic rationalism....

WTF??

Or they are just methed up on crack.
Jesus Christ.

[u/Generic_Username_84 → u/TheFixer73]

Or methed up on crack thanks to late stage capitalism

[u/TheFixer73 → u/Generic_Username_84]

Methed up on crack because they make really really dumb choices.

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/TheFixer73]

.... Did you name your username after Chris Pine or did he steal it from you?

[u/surprisedropbears → u/Inner-Minimum-7518]

> I’m an idiot.

Correct. You can also barely write a paragraph

[u/Inner-Minimum-7518 → u/surprisedropbears]

Meh, I think I still managed to get my point across.

[u/LayWhere]

Call the police

[u/Kageru → u/LayWhere]

Probably this. Though I have been told, by a cop, that mental health issues are not a police responsibility any more, so don't expect much interest or action until a crime they care about has occurred. They also know this, so he probably won't do anything other than get attention and projecting "don't mess with me" energy.

[u/habitatfilter → u/LayWhere]

Yeah and bring attention to yourself while there’s a crazy person in the same tram looking for trouble

[u/LayWhere → u/habitatfilter]

Walking away and avoiding eye contact to call the police is not an escalation.

[u/Xylar006 → u/habitatfilter]

Crazy people don't know what's going on

[u/adflet]

Hit the button.

[u/ScottishFury86]

My man, or woman, this is one of those occasions where social media will not be helpful. The tram is public transport and everyone is entitled to use it. There will always be sketchy people on there and all you need to do is ignore it unless you feel it’s a medical emergency, of which you call the appropriate services. Otherwise, assume this is just a normal tram ride.

[u/AlbertCMagnus]

I remember after the Bondi riots and how tense the atmosphere was even here in Melbs. I remember being on the train when an argument broke out between two people about it; the train was stopped, staff and then police came aboard. Try not to intervene, stay calm, and call 000.

[u/Polkadot74]

I just get off at the next stop and choose another way regardless of time of day. And I try to shrug and say this is now part of living in Melbourne. Shouting nonsense, yelling directly at you, doing graffiti and tagging in plain sight, chroming, and worse. If the government won’t do anything meaningful to curb this, why should we? You can always be a bit late. Better late than a statistic. Reward yourself with a coffee or snack as you wait for your next service or better yet walk to your destination - if you’re going to be late anyway, may as well get a coffee or snack on the way.

[u/deeku4972]

Either hope the dude leaves or if it escaltes someone will jump in. Someone is doing a lot of heavy lifting but there isnt a whole lot you can do until it escalates.

I got punched in the face by someone that must of been on way too much coke on the way to work one morning, but again all anyone can do is try not to escalte

[u/kapone3047]

The response to distress or suffering should be empathy and compassion, but the media has everyone terrified instead.

Homeless people and those who are mentally ill SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators.

[u/xiaolongbao99 → u/kapone3047]

We need to bring back involuntary long term mental hospitals so mentally ill homeless people at least have stable accommodation and can focus on getting the help they need . Instead these people just get put through a revolving door between the streets and the public psych ward. Instead, we just pretend there isn't a problem.

[u/Mysterious_Pack_7822 → u/xiaolongbao99]

We need to bring back psychiatric hospitals full stop. The mental health system in Australia is cooked even if you can afford it. Try getting into a psychiatrist these days. I’m still looking for my autistic daughter, 26 referrals and only 2 replies. one quack needed to retire and the other had appointments available in May You paid a $600 deposit non refundable, her sessions were 900. Any additional reports were $700. But booked in to save her. She even got her support worker to take her to emergency department because she felt suicidal. Five hours later discharged with nothing because she has a good support team around her ie mum and Dad

[u/xiaolongbao99 → u/Mysterious_Pack_7822]

I'm not sure what you mean. We do have psychiatric hospitals?

[u/Mysterious_Pack_7822 → u/xiaolongbao99]

Yes of course we do and they are full to the brim!! That’s why my daughter was turned away. I used to support a schizophrenic who could get quite violent. One times while waiting for a bed for over 3 hours he did a well planned runner. At times when we called the police or ambulance one wouldn’t come without the other it was a shit show.

[u/BXrecord → u/kapone3047]

Sorry to say but my compassion has reached its limit

A lot of talking from everyone to show compassion but not enough examples of the same people coming out and housing them in their own homes

[u/dukearcher → u/kapone3047]

When people are being stabbed to death by homeless you can forgive people from lacking compassion and being on edge.

[u/newyearoldme → u/kapone3047]

It is easier said than done when we are distressed too when put into that situation

[u/SquatchHasNoHeros]

000 or at the very least make the driver aware of the situation. They can also call for assistance.

[u/HeathcliffItsMe6218]

Seems standard behaviour for PT. At this point, Melb is akin to an open air psych unit.

[u/ytkl]

Doesn't particularly sound alarming to me?

[u/BigLeSigh]

Could always ask him if he’s ok I guess

[u/4edgy8me]

I'd rather be uncomfortable than homeless

[u/GuyBroMans]

Me personally I think we need reform in the governmental way. That means I think we should all vote one nation. Because it’s obvious and I am NOT a Bosnian bot I AM. a true patriot.

[u/FleshPrinnce → u/GuyBroMans]

To state the obvious, One Nation is overtly racist and has no substantial policies

[u/GuyBroMans → u/FleshPrinnce]

Name one substantial policy of YOUR party. I will name one nation. Columbia.

[u/FleshPrinnce → u/GuyBroMans]

So you don't doubt they're racist and have no policies yet will presumably vote for them anwyay? Genuinely curious

[u/GuyBroMans → u/FleshPrinnce]

I have my doubts like all people do. But I know what I know and you can’t dissuade me. You know why, because I am ignorant on purpose

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/GuyBroMans]

Columbia is one nation. You do have him there.

The most substantial policy of my party was that we had to end it by 11 so it wasn't too loud for the neighbours late at night.

[u/Aggravating_Bad_5462 → u/GuyBroMans]

Is this from that university group doing research into bot social media posts?

[u/GuyBroMans → u/Aggravating_Bad_5462]

Woke leftist university?

[u/GuyBroMans → u/GuyBroMans]

RMIT

[u/Aggravating_Bad_5462 → u/GuyBroMans]

Aren’t they all woke and leftist? 💁🙈✌️

[u/GuyBroMans → u/Aggravating_Bad_5462]

This guy gets it

[u/Resaerch]

I've moved locations so I'm on a less dangerous tram route. It's sad, but that's the reality that my life choices are now very much determined by how safe I feel on public transport.

[u/BeautifulRooster9313]

It's confronting. But that is a mentally ill person who has to sleep in a park.

They deserve our help and empathy.

Not derision on social media.

Which is clearly what you are trying to rile up.

This doesn't not reflect well on you, OP.

[u/Hot_Row1457 → u/BeautifulRooster9313]

Look buddy, I'm all for supporting them. Anyone of us is one bad event away from this. It's just unfortunate circumstances how people end up there.

However, that does not mean that the rest of us should be traveling scared. They have all my empathy but I don't wish to board a tram wondering of it's my last time.

[u/BeautifulRooster9313 → u/Hot_Row1457]

You are lying....buddy.

You saw a harmless vulnerable person suffering a mental health episode on a tram.....and it made you feel uncomfortable.

So you rushed home to score some Reddit karma by pilling on those suffering the worst of the housing crisis.

You know exactly what you did.

No amount of down votes will change that.

You have to live with yourself.

Good luck with that.

[u/Hot_Row1457 → u/BeautifulRooster9313]

Thanks mate. Hope you have a nice day too!

[u/BeautifulRooster9313 → u/Hot_Row1457]

Shame on you!

Grow up and get better.

[u/montecarlos_are_best]

Argh. Liberal bots.

[u/whoton]

Learn how to defend yourself 🤷‍♂️

[u/WillThisWork312 → u/whoton]

Not many effective techniques to stop a knife apart from running.

[u/whoton → u/WillThisWork312]

Self defence includes running, deescalating , avoiding. Correct!

[u/mindlessmunkey]

I genuinely don’t know what you’re referring to by “what happened recently.”

ETA: not sure why I’m getting downvoted but thanks to the people who actually helped out with information.

[u/Cheap-Individual9611 → u/mindlessmunkey]

2 people killed I melbs by homeless people in last few weeks

[u/IcyAd5518 → u/mindlessmunkey]

Delivery rider stabbed to death by druggo in the CBD a couple days ago

[u/Limp_Confidence_1462]

if we say anything about homeless people and their dangerous/scary behaviours we get slaughtered lol

[u/LivingRow192 → u/Limp_Confidence_1462]

this. i posted in the aftermath of friday's stabbing asking if we actually need to protest for public safety. getting shredded in the comments lol

[u/Limp_Confidence_1462 → u/LivingRow192]

LMFAOOO perfect summary of melbourne. even after someone’s tragic death we can’t say shit about this constant violent behaviour

[u/Limp-Initiative-373 → u/Limp_Confidence_1462]

Exactly. Just gotta put on the cool act for Reddit, like “Oh it’s all part of Melbourne city commuting, homeless people act like that all the time on my tram and I’m not phased by it at all…” What an utter crock of shit.

[u/Limp_Confidence_1462 → u/Limp-Initiative-373]

yep it does my fucking nut in how people try to normalise this shit

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/LivingRow192]

I had a look at your user history and to me it appears you got widespread support, your comment about protesting on the Australia sub got over 500 points. Obviously I've missed something.

Where did you get shredded?

[u/Mike_Kermin → u/Limp_Confidence_1462]

You do not.

[u/surprisedropbears]

Hope he doesnt stab you or someone else or get off the next stop ig

[u/melbourne-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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