Well a boycott does make sense because it has worked in other states and so why not DC? In New York some of the things I mentioned, including having the automated messages has been done and that's why you don't hear about how every day or every other day there's someone getting knocked the hell out on trains because New York is on top their transit there.
Yes perhaps not having cops on every train car but there does need to be one at every train station because crime can happen at any train station, not just Gallery, L'Enfant and Metro Center.
Furthermore, I haven't heard of many if any crimes happening on the silver line, that's why it isn't mentioned. However the lines with the most crimes - Red, Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow.
Also there are crimes on the buses but they're nothing compared to the crimes occurring on trains. I've researched and read articles of people stating their fear of riding the train because of the crimes being reported. I don't hear that about the buses though.
A lot of people haven't thought of finding other transportation rather than the train because if they had thought of it, it would've been done now. If you think about it, WMATA gets TONS of money from people everyday - it's expensive to ride the train, imagine what it would be like if people stopped riding the train? Revenue would go down in regards to people riding the train.
Also calling 9-1-1 is fine but if you're underground and you call 9-1-1 after being attacked, by the time police come (and they tend to take quite a while to come to someone's rescue in DC), the attackers would be long gone and it be too late so how does calling 9-1-1 help? No but having a police officer already on the train to witness the act helps a lot.
People who use WMATA needs to stop being pussies and wisen up and take a stand against metro or they're going to keep getting their asses beaten and keep being robbed and etc but I tell you if this was happening in New York or New Jersey, New Yorkers and New Jerseyans wouldn't dare take it. Not only would they petition and boycott but they would protest. Maybe people in DC, MD and Virginia needs to come away from their lattes and laptops and decide to take a stand if they want their safety on the trains.