Loitering, Drugs, and Apathy: What’s Happening at Central Station?
As usual on Sunday, I took the train downtown and got off at Central Station. Immediately, I noticed the familiar group of people gathered near the vertical access tower—which, notably, remains closed. What stood out even more was the security guard. Rather than actively monitoring the area, he sat casually on the railing, blending in with the crowd. It was noon, in broad daylight, and people were openly using drugs while others loitered nearby. The guard appeared indifferent, as did a Downtown Improvement District employee who was chatting with another security worker like it was just another lazy afternoon.
Since opening in 2014, St. Paul’s Central Station was envisioned as a key component of a modern transit system, connecting the METRO Green Line with the downtown skyway network. Instead, it has become symbolic of persistent safety concerns, ineffective security, stalled infrastructure projects and unfulfilled commitments.
The station has been the site of several violent incidents that have rattled public confidence in transit safety. In May 2022, 37-year-old Demitri Ellis-Strong was shot and killed at the station. His murderer, Shawn Michael Tillman, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life without parole (CBS News; Metro Transit). In December of the same year, a second tragedy struck when 21-year-old Ellijah Marquise Payne and 18-year-old David Burton Johnson were fatally shot inside a building connected to the station (KARE 11).
That building—the Vertical Circulation Building, which links the station to the skyway—was subsequently “temporarily” closed by city officials citing safety concerns. As of today, it remains closed and with the closer of the skyway through the Alliance building, it will probably never reopen.
According to Metro Transit data, reported crime incidents on the Green Line increased in 2022, with violent crimes up nearly 35% compared to the previous year. Central Station has been a hotspot for these incidents, reflecting the challenges of maintaining order at high-traffic urban transit nodes.
City leaders held virtual town halls following these tragedies, promising more patrols, better lighting, functional intercom systems, and additional security measures (MinnPost; Star Tribune). Yet, commuters and residents report that conditions have changed little and as a downtown resident and user of transit I can confirm that. Open drug use, loitering, and indifferent security responses remain daily realities, contributing to a widespread sense of unease.
Since its construction, the Vertical Circulation Building and skyway connection have cost taxpayers millions. The vertical access tower itself was part of a $2.7 million project (City of St. Paul budget records). Additional spending since the 2022 closure has included over $300,000 allocated for enhanced security contracts and temporary measures—none of which have yet resulted in the tower’s reopening or a measurable decline in crime at the station (St. Paul Capital Improvement Budget, 2023).
If Central Station is to fulfill its promise as a vital and safe transit hub, city officials, Metro Transit, and the community must move beyond dialogue and deliver real, sustained action. If we want Central Station to become the safe, welcoming hub it was meant to be, we need to raise our voices. What is the plan?
The challenges at Central Station require more than cosmetic fixes or temporary closures. Addressing these issues will take a coordinated effort—combining visible, active security with social services that tackle the root causes of disorder, including homelessness, mental health needs, and substance abuse. It is not enough to put in place “deterrents”, we must also hold people accountable for their actions.
It is up to all of us to take some personal responsibility and stop turning a blind eye to what is happening by reporting problems every time you see them. Use Metro Transit’s Text for Safety (612-900-0411) or call local law enforcement when you see crime, unsafe behavior, or hazards at the station.
Reach out to your city council member, mayor’s office, and Metro Transit leadership. Let them know that public safety at Central Station matters to you by showing up at city council meetings, safety forums, or virtual town halls.
Demand updates and accountability on promised improvements and spending. Advocate for investments not just in policing, but in outreach workers, mental health services, and housing solutions that address the root causes of disorder at the station.
The future of Central Station—and the safety of everyone who uses it—depends on sustained public pressure and participation. Our tax dollars fund a large portion of public transportation as well as public safety. We must demand accountability from our elected officials and stop accepting pat answers to our most serious problems.
Espresso Talks 