BART Police increase patrols to deter crime during busy holiday season

In an effort to thwart holiday crime on its system, BART Police will add more patrols to busy downtown San Francisco Stations and partner with other police departments to offer officer escorts to parked cars this holiday season.

Officer Escorts for West Oakland and San Leandro stations
BART and the Oakland Police Department (OPD) will provide an extra layer of safety for West Oakland customers on Thursday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. City of Oakland community volunteers (who will don red vests identifying them as “Pedestrian Escorts”), OPD Cadets and BART Community Service Officers will escort BART customers who park either in the BART lot or within a three block radius of the West Oakland Station.

On Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., BART and the San Leandro Police Department will partner to offer officer escorts to riders who use Bay Fair Station or shop at the nearby Bayfair Mall. In addition, Cycle Path Bicycle Shop employees will be on hand to demonstrate how to register and properly secure your bikes.

During both escort events, officers will give out safety-related materials with travel tips to help keep customers safe while traveling on the BART system.