BART Ups Patrols Around The Holidays
OAKLAND (KCBS) – BART's police force wants to help you stay safe during the holiday season by increasing patrols and providing riders at certain stations with escorts to their cars over the next two weeks.
BART Police are concerned with passenger safety every day, but it can be particularly dangerous around Christmas and Hanukkah.
"Holiday crime seems to be a crime of opportunity, so people are looking out for people who maybe aren't paying attention to what they're doing or their surroundings. We want people to be extra vigilant," said BART police spokeswoman Officer Era Jenkins.
KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:
Jenkins said that BART Police not only are encouraging riders to protect their valuables and travel in pairs or groups if possible, but the department will have more officers on patrol through the holiday season, especially in downtown San Francisco stations. Jenkins said there also will be special escorts to walk riders to their cars.
"The BART Police Department, as well as the Oakland Police Department and community volunteers, cadets and community service officers will be at the West Oakland BART Station escorting customers," said Jenkins.
The escorts will be at West Oakland two evenings this week. Next Wednesday, the 21st, Jenkins said that escorts will be available at the Bay Fair station to help passengers stay safe.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
