A recent article suggesting that women-only subway cars would help curb the problem of crimes against women in the subway is misguided. The points raised before are quite valid. It is discriminatory towards men.

According to the report, 1,192 incidents were handled last year, which is estimated to be only 10 percent of the total number. Thus, of the few hundred million riders per year, there are less than 12,000 incidents. If we assume that half the riders are men, we are discriminating against the vast majority of men who are innocent of anything. Beyond that, some men actually help out ― I’m sure that of the 1,192 incidents reported, at least some of them were reported by other men on the subway.

Also, if we look at the actual crimes that happen, I’m sure that many of them are crimes of opportunity. A sleeping women with her legs open, a man who had a bit too much to drink and a stupid decision is made. The fact is that we all need to be vigilant of our surroundings. Men who sleep on the subway wake up to find their briefcases missing, and women who sleep find someone taking photos of them. By segregating the riders, we are not addressing these issues, we are merely sweeping them under the rug.

The New York City subway system was once plagued with crime and it wasn’t until a man named Bernie Goetz controversially shot some muggers on the subway that the city decided to really address the problems. The Korean government should take a multi-pronged approach to this issue.

First, a visible presence of police officers on the subways is important. Visibility will cut down on crimes of opportunity. Second, an invisible presence on the subway to catch those brazen enough to commit a crime in front of uniformed officers. Third, a campaign to encourage citizens to speak out against crime and to speak up when they witness these crimes.

On the subway, old women should not be beating young girls, dogs should not be pooping, and sex crimes should not be happening ― not without somebody standing up and saying “Hey, stop that now!”

We all spend a large part of our lives on the subway. We should all take responsibility for ensuring a comfortable and safe place for everyone.

By Nathan Rice

Nathan Rice lives in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City. ― Ed.