Worry over 'public safety threat' on Brockton buses drives Ripley's campaign for mayor

BROCKTON — Since February, Richard Ripley has been telling anyone who'll listen that Brockton Area Transit riders face a "public safety threat" from bus drivers.

His passion about this issue in the face of what he calls a "Berlin Wall of silence" from city officials and the media, including this newspaper, drove him to run for mayor.

Ripley's campaign began after the 66-year-old nearly fell after he boarded a BAT bus and the driver pulled off into traffic while he was still trying to pay. It happened to him three times, he said. Alarmed at how easily a senior or child might fall or even be thrown against the windshield if the driver braked suddenly, he began to alert authorities.

"I just have to try to make a difference and that's why I'm doing this," Ripley said in a recent interview at City Hall. "I don't want to see a kid get hurt."

Drivers disciplined after Ripley's complaints

Ripley said he has since then witnessed more than 70 examples of BAT drivers driving in ways he considers dangerous. And his complaints have gotten action. After a flurry of emails and dozens of complaints Ripley filed to various city officials, BAT investigated and found some of his complaints valid and, within the limits of the drivers' union contract, disciplined drivers. For Ripley, that's not enough.

The native Brocktonian, who returned to the city about a year ago after decades away in Boston and Denver, wants Mayor Robert F. Sullivan to make a public statement about safety on the city's buses. The city's law department responded with a certified letter on Aug. 31.

"We are aware of your complaints that BAT drivers are not utilizing appropriate safety measures during boarding and bus take-off," the letter reads. "Based on your concerns, the [C]ity and BAT have undertaken investigations and disciplinary action. We are aware that BAT has also contacted you to address these complaints and to inform you that they are actively working to remedy any safety concerns."

In the letter, Assistant City Solicitor Kayla Venckauskas tells him that, "Although the [C]ity is actively addressing your concerns, you continue to send multiple emails per day to multiple [C]ity employees with the same concerns already being investigated."

Ripley remains alarmed.

"Eventually there will be an accident," he said. "I think it's criminal."

Brockton native campaigns on a shoestring

Despite his decision not to take donations for his mayoral campaign or to put up lawn signs, Ripley has found ways to get out his message while he says he gets by on a $1,005 monthly Social Security check.

He appeared on Stand Up Strong on Brockton Community Access on Aug. 22 in an episode hosted by Ed Miller. He took part in a recent NAACP city election forum.

More: 6 key takeaways from NAACP's Brockton election forum — candidates spar onstage and off

While Ripley's concern over bus safety is the defining issue of and reason for his candidacy, he has taken positions on other civic issues since making the ballot for the Sept. 19 preliminary election. That vote will narrow five candidates for mayor down to two who will face each other in Nov. 7's general election.

"I don't know what happened to Brockton," Ripley said about the loss of the vibrant downtown he experienced during his youth. Ripley graduated Brockton High in 1974 in the first class to do all four years in the new school.

Ripley recently retired after a career in hospitality, including managing nightclubs. Among the jobs he had in Brockton before moving away, he used to make salads at Christo's.

Ripley said he'd like to see better lighting downtown and for police officers to start wearing video cameras. He's also concerned about the city's pension liabilities, which are a looming crisis for municipalities around the state. Ripley would like to consider means testing for city of Brockton retirees, with the better-off taking a cut to their pensions.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on Twitter at @HelmsNews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Richard Ripley runs for Brockton mayor to warn public about bus safety