A NJ Transit train ride from New York City to Trenton Sunday produced several interesting storylines, including the need for police presence. NJ Transit police officers were called to remove an unruly passenger who had caused trouble almost immediately after our train left Penn Station. First, the male passenger refused to allow another man access to an adjacent seat. He shouted down a woman who attempted intervention then tossed items at her. The guy cursed loudly and drew attention from other concerned passengers. NJ Transit police boarded our train to remove an unruly passenger.(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Belligerence continued when he refused to display a valid ticket. “I don’t have a ticket and you’re not putting me off this train,” he said. The Caucasian man ridiculed the Black employee, even used the word “boy”, well aware of the derisive term. A similar exchange occurred when another Black ticket inspector arrived. “What seems to be the problem. Do you need help. How can I help you,” he asked, before the passenger voiced more ridicule. Both NJ Transit employees displayed wonderful restraint and achieved significant deescalation although most passengers seemed to understand this issue was far from over. So, did the instigator who departed our cabin for a hiding place elsewhere. NJ Transit police boarded the train at the MetroPark station and apparently removed the man. One officer interviewed the female passenger who joined the fray. While air travel provides significant security, train travel requires no such safeguards. A person holding a gun or worse could enter any train and cause serious havoc. Train travel represents a kind of naïveté, a trust that no madman with bad intent boards. Kudos to the NJ Transit employees who showed fantastic restraint and professionalism in handling this situation. They did not allow emotion to override cool, collected, common sense. ***** The trip to the Big Apple showed off NJ Transit’s new clear windows. An $18 million project to replace opaque ones appears underway and the change over delivers a stark contrast. Being able to see clearly allowed for various sights, including the myriad colors of autumn trees. This passing eye candy meant less time for iPhone indulgences and cultivated more conversation including, “Did you see that?” inquiries. ****** Late boarding instructions Sunday caused a mad dash for seating on a train leaving Penn Station for Trenton Transit Center.(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Finally, a Penn Station concourse filled with passengers waiting for the 5:58 p.m. train to Trenton. Many passengers were headed to the Sunday night NFL game between Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants. By the way, despite the Giants and Jets playing in New Jersey, both teams belong to New York, forever. Anyway, a late boarding announcement (just five minutes before departure) caused unnecessary upheaval and physical interaction. My girlfriend played a game with me regarding who could guess the departing track number. We had decided to wait near track No. 3. This newly-created NJ Transit roulette spit out Track No. 1 which allowed easy access to seating. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].