In the Baltimore metro area, a light rail line was built in the ‘80’s to serve as a connector between downtown Baltimore (ghettos) and the western Baltimore County suburb of Owings Mills where a large regional mall was developed. Around the same time in the eastern section of Baltimore County, another large regional mall was developed in White Marsh. No light rail ran east to the White Marsh area. The light rail served mall in Owings Mills died a painful and protracted death in part because the ghetto dwellers could travel quickly and cheaply to steal and harass at the mall. The buildings were recently razed and apartments were developed on the site. However, the non-rail served White Marsh mall has thrived and other retail developments on land surrounding it have sprung up and it is the healthiest retail sub-market in the region. It still has its “teens” problems but they are dealt with. Defunding these rail expansion projects is the best thing to be done for law abiding citizens with purchasing power. Confine the rats to the ghettos. Keep the disease in check.
The light rail served mall in Owings Mills died a painful and protracted death in part because the ghetto dwellers could travel quickly and cheaply to steal and harass at the mall. The buildings were recently razed and apartments were developed on the site.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS AGENT FOR CRIME.