BART reaffirms commitment to stand against hate and provide a welcoming and safe environment

Amid heightened fears of violence and profiling stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, BART and BART Police are reaffirming our commitment to stand together with the people of the Bay Area in opposing hate, violence, and acts of intolerance.  

We recognize many families in the Bay Area are grieving and worried about profiling and incidents of hate in public spaces. These thoughts may create barriers to mobility due to fear. No person should feel uncomfortable riding BART, and we are committed to fostering a community of care where people have safe passageways. BART is working to ensure that it remains a safe place for all people, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender identity, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or immigration status.

If someone feels unsafe on BART, they should: 

• Move to another car away from what is making them feel unsafe. 
• Once in a different car, notify the train operator using the call box on each car or use the BART Watch app or text BART Police at 510-200-0992. 
• All station platforms have call boxes or white phones that connect with an employee at all hours of the day. 
• Wait in a safe place such as by the station agent booth if you are getting picked up at the station. 
• Practice safe bystander intervention if you witness harassment. 

Safe Bystander Intervention 

The bystander intervention approach is about centering the impacted person, their feelings, their experience, and their needs, while ignoring the attacker to prevent escalating the incident. 

There are four steps for safe bystander intervention.  

Step One: Assess the situation. 

• Does the harasser have a weapon? 
• If yes, call BART police at 510-464-7000  
• If no, continue with the intervention.  

Step Two: Ask another bystander to support you. Use phrases such as:

• Can you help me intervene by discreetly taking a picture/video of the situation? 
• Can you help me intervene by contacting the BART train operator using the train car intercom? 
• Can you help me intervene by noting the BART car number located above the end car doors? We will need it if we report this situation. 
• Can you help me intervene by keeping an eye out to make sure things do not escalate? 

Step Three: Approach the targeted person. Ignore the attacker. 

• Make sure the targeted person knows you are here to help.  
• You can say something like: “My name is Stephanie, I am here to help you.” 
• Ask for permission: “Can I sit/stand next to you?” 
• Ignore the attacker and engage in a conversation with the targeted person: “The weather has been nice lately,” or “Did you see the Warriors game?” 

Step Four: Offer options to the targeted person for how you can support them. 

• It helps to offer 2-3 options because in traumatic situations, people may panic and be unsure of what to do. 
• Use phrases such as:
  • Do you want me to walk you to your destination? 
  • Do you want to get off at the next station and wait for the next train with you? 
  • Do you want to move to another BART car with me? 
  • Do you want to report this to BART Police? If so, do you want me to be a witness in the report? 
• Respect the person’s wishes if they say no and they are okay. Give space if that is what is asked.