Is it safe to ride the MBTA in Dorchester?

I was very startled as many of us were about the shooting on the 23 this past week. It his a little closer to home as I use to ride it regularly when I lived near Ashmont... It's troubling for many reasons, and the most troubling is that there is no real alternative to the 23 for this neighborhood... No matter how unsafe they feel on it, and would rather take another route or rapid transit line, they have to deal with these bus routes. Most of these routes like the 23, 28 and etc. are notorious for being "scary" and potentially unsafe. A reason for that can very well be when you have everyone squeezed in together at dangerous levels (I know - I ride so don't challenge that), people are going to start to act out. Especially with bus drivers who don't simply deal with the passengers like people, and not talk down to them. Like I say - rapid transit will make lives alot easier and increase ridership in that area and get some money coming in. It's basic business sense - when you sell a product, you try to sell as much of it as possible. You try and sell it where it will be sold.
While the Silver Line Waterfront is nice... if that same or better service was put in Dorchester, they would sell like hot cakes.
I think I'd like to note I actually rode the 23 last night... there were two transit officers on the bus. I don't know if it's at random, or every 23 (which would be ALOT of officers). They truly eased my fears. Good to see the T responding.

Before I end, one of my users over at the forums had this to say:
"you said that the forum change will be effective April 2nd, yet it's already changed. Have patience" or something to that extent...
Because I change the heading of the forum does not mean that all around internally, the forum name has changed. When I make an announcement like that, I am saying that a full fledge change is coming through. I would highly suggest not worrying about me, and trying to get some content going in your board.... and I mean that in the nicest way :-P