New Greyhound security insufficient, says stepmom of stabbing victim
04.12.2008 17:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
 Tim McLean, shown in a photograph from his MySpace page, was described by friends as a bubbly person loved by everyone.New security measures to protect Greyhound bus passengers don't go far enough, says the stepmother of a Manitoba man killed on a bus last summer. The measures come four months after the grisly murder of Tim McLean, 22, aboard a Greyhound bus near Portage la Prairie, Man. Vince Li of Edmonton is accused of stabbing and beheading McLean. Tuesday, ticket-holders in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary were being swept by hand-held metal detectors. Passengers are also now required to store their luggage in cargo compartments instead of bringing it onboard. The only exceptions are for small personal items such as purses and wallets. "I think they can do more," said McLean's stepmother, Nadine McLean. Anyone bent on doing harm could still climb aboard a bus undetected at any of the myriad of small rural stops on Greyhound's routes, she said. "Safety of the passengers is No. 1," she said. "So, if that means they need to implement more security at the bus terminals or along the way, then that needs to be done." The measures do not stem directly from what happened, a Greyhound official said, but are a result of a two-year-long study at improving safety. "Once we completed that study over the summer months, we began to review ... and figure out which specific security measures would be most effective," Abby Wambaugh said from Greyhound's headquarters in Dallas, Texas. McLean's birth mother, Carol DeDelley, said the new measures are better than nothing. "Had they done something a year ago or six months ago, I'd still have my son," she said. Bus drivers are welcoming the extra security and expect more restrictions in the coming months. "It's going to expand. There's no doubt about that," said Jim Higgs, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union chapter that represents about 500 drivers across northern Ontario and Western Canada. "I'm certainly happy this process did finally come to fruition." The metal detectors will not be everywhere. Most bus stops are in small towns or sometimes at the side of a road, where passengers will not be screened by the hand-held wands. "We believe that these measures that we're implementing make the most sense and will be the most effective at this point in time for our type of transportation," Wambaugh said. Greyhound has called on the federal government to help fund extra security. The company spent several million dollars on the measures announced this week, Wambaugh said. The incident involving McLean made headlines around the world. Witnesses said McLean was listening to music with his eyes closed when he was attacked unprovoked. Li has not entered a plea to a charge of second-degree murder. He has elected to have a judge hear the case without a jury. His trial is expected in the spring. RelatedInternal LinksGreyhound introduces security screening of passengersGreyhound slaying sparks debate over bus securityConsumer HeadlinesSloppiness at passport offices put Canadians' privacy at risk: reportA review by Canada's federal privacy commissioner has found passport offices failed to adequately protect consumers' personal information, noting passport applications were stored in clear plastic bags and sensitive documents were thrown in trash cans and recycle bins.More Canadians filed for bankruptcy in OctoberThe number of Canadians filing for insolvency protection jumped in October as the global financial crisis sent more individuals into bankruptcy, according to national statistics released Thursday. Building permit values drop 15.7%The value of building permits in October totaled $5.4 billion — a 15 per cent decrease from the previous month, Statistics Canada said Thursday.Alone, but not lonely: Canadian internet users still social animals, study findsCanadians who spend more time than others on the internet may spend more time alone, but the wide array of social tools available online means these people are far from isolated, according to a Statistics Canada study published Thursday.Barbie beats Bratz in U.S. court Toy giant Mattel Inc., after a four-year legal dispute with MGA Entertainment Inc., touted its win in the case Wednesday after a federal judge banned MGA from making and selling its pouty-lipped and hugely popular Bratz dolls. Consumer Life FeaturesFOODConsumer tipsHow to shop for your family without breaking the bankECONOMYGift cardsThe lure of plasticSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesBLOGFood BytesHigh-stakes baking: Cookie exchangesWORKING LIFEMalcolm GladwellCOMM-ODDITIESAuctionFlying Aerocar up for grabs on eBayPeople who read this also read …
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