BART’s efforts to improve safety and security for riders are getting a major infusion of funding thanks, in part, to Bay Area members of Congress.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded BART about $6.8 million in a grant to pay for continued police patrols on trains traveling through BART’s busiest stations, interoperable radio communications systems and for upgraded security cameras at Powell St., Civic Center and 16th St. stations.
“The grant provides an extra boost to the important steps we’re already taking to improve the safety and security of BART riders,” said BART General Manager Grace Crunican. “We’re very grateful for the help of the Bay Area Congressional Delegation, led by Representative Eric Swalwell, in obtaining this much needed funding. Time and again Representative Swalwell has recognized the critical security needs of BART and made sure the Bay Area gets its fair share of federal grants.”
The Transit Security Grant funds will sustain the continued deployment of BART’s Critical Asset Patrol (CAP) for the period of this grant. The CAP Team consists of seven officers and one sergeant who provide a visible presence on trains, especially during peak passenger travel times including special events. Each member is trained as a Terrorism Liaison Officer and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies. BART launched the CAP team in 2011.
These funds will also fund the conversion of analog cameras at 16th St. to modern digital cameras, aligning them with existing digital technology at other downtown stations. BART has more than 4,000 cameras on trains and in stations and is moving to integrate and modernize the entire security system. This modernization was a key component of the Safety and Security Action Plan BART General Manager Grace Crunican presented to the Board of Directors at the August 6, 2018 meeting.
BART will also receive funding to install radio equipment to connect its existing underground radio system to the regional radio systems in San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The radio connection will provide the ability for local first responders to maintain radio coverage on their own radios in the BART underground and to communicate directly with BART radios.
FY 2018 Transit Security Grant Program Award to BART
- $3,616,300 for camera upgrades
- $2,000,000 for radio interoperability
- $1,137,333 for continued CAP team patrols
17 comments
Still haven’t seen any improvements at all. No proactive policing, not one little bit. Have only seen officers once on my train disembarking. Why do police sit in the station agent booth monitoring video? By the time they get up to the platform, someone is dead. Why isn’t BART improving and expanding stations instead of building stack and pack transit villages to the safety detriment of every single BART passenger. BART can’t even run its own system and there is going to be a proposal on the ballot for BART to manage these transit villages. I hope the transit villages are never built. I hope our local politicians find a way to not let Jerry Brown break our zoning laws in favor of these ugly stack and pack transit villages. Look at what they built in Walnut Creek across the street from BART, the outside of the building is UGLY and it looks cheap and doesn’t fit the town at all. BART shouldn’t be allowed to destroy all of our towns with their ugly stack and pack transit, further inconveniencing passengers. I hate what has been done to Ygnacio Valley Road in favor of the ugly parking structure and transit village they are building there. I hope Lafayette and Orinda win and no transit villages are built there. BART needs to stick with transportation, impove the ridiculous two-car thing they call e-BART not even set up for bicycles, luggage and most importantly handicapped people. You expect people to ride a bike to bliss and then walk another quarter of a mile to e-BART; yeah, what planning. Do not re-elect Joel Keller to the BART Board or anyone that had anything to do with e-BART, those pathetic e-BART stations and no parking structures after everyone has been paying property taxes in Contra Costa County for regular BART to extend to East County. e-BART, more e-FART.
You’re a WHINER. If you can’t handle BART – then walk, drive or take the bus. Nobody is forcing you to take BART. The world doesn’t revolve around YOU.
Shut up already, Nick! No one gives a hoot about you or your stupid opinions. You’re a nobody! Pipe down! Have your doctor increase your meds! That’s long overdue.
Dawn – You need to get laid.
BART is trying, and stupid people like Margaret and Dawn just continue to complain. They’re unhappy with their lives, and unhappy with themselves. Misery loves company.
I totally agree. Hysterical women who could use some meds. They refuse to see that 6.8 million in grants is the step in the right direction, and all they want to do is continue to whine. Typical unsuccessful East County residents. Thank goodness I don’t live in East County, and I wish my daughter would move the heck out.
Yeah! Sure! That grant will do jack for safety and security. BART cops just hang around and BS with the personnel while throats are being cut on the platform! Let’s face it, BART is a loser! I wouldn’t be caught dead taking public transportation and get to sit by people who have lice crawling all over them and have ghetto sewer rats attack people and steal their property. Let’s face it, BART SUCKS!
Another hysterical woman – on every thread.
Hey Nick! You need to spend more time with your boyfriend. I don’t live in Contra Costa County so, I guess that makes me “successful” — but I know a lot of people living in CoCoCounty, who are extremely successful. Yes! I’m sure they are overjoyed that you don’t live their country as well.
Mel, you want to see stupid? Look in your mirror! Did you run out of hormone replacement pills already? By the way, a dead man was found in the bathroom of one of the BART east county stations. Maybe you want to have him propped up next to you on your next BART trip!
He was probably shooting up drugs – or something stupid. I’ve ridden BART to SF for over 20 years with no problem. People do it every day.
When was the last time you road BART? It was nice 10 years ago transit. I have ridden since 1975. They are a dishonest, despicable organization. This money will be wasted too. 3.2 million already was wasted on 1970 technology cameras with no instantly retrievable video after Antioch kid shot at Oakland West. Who would buy old cameras on 2015? BART. When was the last time all you BART defenders road it? Roads are just as unsafe now. Take your pick.
M-F everyday. So the last day was last Friday. Most attacks are provoked. There’s always a risk for public transportation or driving. Pick your poison.
99.5 percent of people take BART daily, and nothing happens to them. The people who get victimized on BART are rarely random. They’re getting into it with people. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep your mouth shut, Practice “public transportation etiquette” and you’ll be fine. Learn to mind your own business.
There’s always a slight risk on public transportation, driving, etc. We don’t live in a perfect world. If you don’t like public transportation, stay off it. If you don’t take it, why do you care? Calm down.
Tell that to all the robbery victims. Every single day some happens in the garage, platform or around the station at Concord all with police standing around. When do you ride? I think many would disagree with your 99.9% statistics.
Tens of thousands of riders ride daily – safely. it’s not as safe as it used to be, but either is society. It beats driving bumper to bumper to SF. Where the good, money making professional jobs are.
Now let’s make sure it goes towards SECURITY/SAFETY and nothing else!
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