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BART security in place for fifth anniversary of 9/11

Although there are no credible threats, heightened security will be in place as District honors heroes of 9/11 with systemwide moment of silence

BART officials are reassuring passengers that heightened security will be in place during tomorrow's fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The transit agency is redeploying some members of its 200-plus strong police force, including the use of its specially trained explosives detection canine units. Surveillance and close contact with other law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will also be underway Monday purely as a precaution; BART officials stress there is no credible threat. BART officials are not releasing more specific information about the security measures in order to increase their effectiveness.

How to Report Suspicious Packages: Use the intercom on the train or a white phone in the station to alert an employee or call BART police at 1-877-679-7000 or 911.
For more about how you can help keep BART safe and secure, visit the Security Section.

NEW PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN OUTLINED
BART Directors James Fang and Bob Franklin and BART Police Chief Gary Gee also outlined the new public awareness campaign to remind passengers that they play a key role in protecting the system against attacks. Dozens of new posters, urging riders to report suspicious packages, have recently been installed throughout stations. The signs help passengers identify potentially dangerous packages ("is it hidden? Obviously suspicious? Not typical?") and give riders specific steps to alert authorities. Director Fang explained the new posters are the latest edition of BART's on-going public vigilence campaign, which urges BART's 330,000 daily riders to play a proactive role in keeping the system safe.

BART'S PLANS TO MARK THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
BART will mark the occasion with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center. The time was adjusted to Pacific Daylight Time to allow more BART customers to participate. At 8:46 a.m., the following announcement will be made over the public address system in trains and in stations: "May I please have your attention? In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of 9/11, at the tone please observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001." A tone will be followed by a 15 second moment of silence, then another announcement: "That concludes our moment of silence in honor of the victims and heroes of 9/11. Thank you." Also on September 11th, the message: "BART honors the victims and heroes of 9-11 on the 5th anniversary of this national tragedy." will run on the digital signs on all platforms at 15 minute intervals.

WHAT BART HAS CHANGED SINCE 9/11
Director Fang noted that much has changed in the five years since the attacks and that subsequent attacks in Madrid, London and Mumbai, India have only added to the urgency of ensuring passengers' safety. BART has spent almost on $22 million on security since September 11, 2001 on equipment and training and is working tirelessly to obtain more funds to improve security.

WHAT BART HAS DONE SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

TRAINING:

  • All 3,200 employees have been offered training to recognize and respond to terrorism
  • A minimum of four major, multi-agency counterterrorism drills are conducted annually

INTELLIGENCE GATHERING:

  • A BART representative is now a sitting member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force
  • A daily link to the FBI has been established

DETECTION:

  • Added alarms to critical facilities
  • Added security cameras
  • A team of 10 K9 units cross trained in explosives detection
  • Intrusion detectors added in sensitive areas