DETROIT – The national citizens patrol organization Guardian Angels is planning to address the DDOT bus concerns Monday.
The group will recruit new members at the Rosa Parks bus terminal Monday morning from 7 a.m. until noon.
Guardian Angel members then plan to ride and patrol the buses in Detroit from noon until 11 p.m.
Last week, about 150 drivers held a rally outside Detroit City Hall to demonstrate against what they say are a series of on-the-job attacks on drivers. The city halted bus service after drivers called in sick.
Local union President Fred Westbrook says recently, two drivers were stabbed, one came under attack from three passengers and one had urine thrown on her.
Detroit city official Gary Brown says that the union members recently voted 2-to-1 to reject a proposed contract with the city and says the timing of the sick-out is "no coincidence."
But the union said it wasn't behind the job action and couldn't do anything if drivers call in sick.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said a special police unit soon will put officers on DDOT buses.
Moreover, new security cameras will be placed on the buses.