BART crime plummets, police report says

"As more people return to work and sort out their new commutes, BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, reports dramatic improvements to rider safety. A new report from the BART Police Department released this morning says that violent crime has dropped by 36% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, from 203 incidents to 130."

"The report says that property crimes on BART during the same period dropped by half, from 1,091 to 547. Robberies decreased by 71%, from 126 to 37, and car burglaries by 64%, from 449 to 162. BART riders have previously told The Oaklandside that the prevalence of crime on platforms and inside cars has kept them away from using the system more, whether for commuting or leisure activities."

"The report said that BART's "police department has remained focused on maintaining a highly visible safety presence in the system" and that its new, taller, hardened gates "are proving to be a strong deterrent against fare evasion and other unwanted behavior." Many riders have told The Oaklandside that they've observed people sliding through the new doors or following immediately behind paying riders. Yet fare evasion calls, citations, and proof of payment citations are all down significantly from the same time last year."

Violent crime declined 36% in the first seven months year‑over‑year, falling from 203 incidents to 130. Property crimes were cut by half, from 1,091 to 547. Robberies decreased 71%, from 126 to 37, and car burglaries fell 64%, from 449 to 162. Aggravated assaults remained unchanged at 13 in July year‑over‑year, while simple assaults rose from 272 to 364 in the same period. The police department maintained a highly visible safety presence. New taller, hardened gates have reduced fare evasion and other unwanted behavior, with fare evasion calls and citations down significantly. San Mateo County stations received new gates, with systemwide installation scheduled by year‑end.

Read at The Oaklandside