(The following story by Maria Polletta appeared on The Arizona Republic website on June 2, 2009.)
PHOENIX, Ariz. — A light-rail train was stopped Tuesday morning and passengers were asked to exit after a homeless man boarded a car with a box of feces that he apparently spread on the floor.
The incident occurred just after 8 a.m., according to Metro light rail spokeswoman Hillary Foose.
Dustin Schmidt of Tempe was in the car in front of the one the man dirtied. Schmidt didn’t see the man but said people began rushing to the front of his train car.
He said the train’s operator alerted passengers to the man’s behavior and gave them a choice to stop immediately or to continue to the next station.
The passengers chose to stop at the next station at 38th and Washington streets, where the car was cleaned up, according to Foose.
Foose said police were called in to “handle” the man after the operator asked him to leave.
The man was not cited, Phoenix police Officer James Holmes said.