BART statistics indicate that crime rates that rose over the last decade and spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic have been improving this year. However, recent violent attacks have reignited concerns about safety on the transit system, prompting calls for increased measures to address such incidents. The demand for deploying state troopers reflects the urgent need for enhanced security to regain rider confidence, especially among vulnerable communities.
Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, emphasized that there must be zero tolerance for crime on BART. He stated, 'We need to take strong, decisive and immediate action that violent and other crime will not be tolerated on BART, particularly crime targeting Asian Americans, women, seniors and other vulnerable communities.' This assertion illustrates the growing urgency among community leaders for comprehensive safety measures.
Alicia Trost, BART's chief communications officer, has noted significant rider apprehension due to perceived safety risks. She stated that in order to restore ridership levels, it's imperative to improve both the visible and actionable safety measures implemented within the BART system. She advocated for showcasing a stronger police presence on trains and at stations to alleviate fears and encourage public transportation use.
Collection
[
|
...
]