Overall crime on BART in 2024 was down by 17 percent from the previous year, with an 11 percent drop in violent crime during the same period, according to BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin.
The drop in overall crime, and also in violent crimes, occurred even though BART ridership increased last year by 2.6 million trips over 2023, a report from Franklin said.
The total number of property crimes fell by 536 incidents year-over-year, and there were 229 fewer auto thefts, a 34 percent drop.
BART PD also reported that its response time of 3 minutes and 56 to Tier 1 emergencies in December ranked among the fastest of any Bay Area law enforcement agency.
Chief Franklin attributes the reduced crime to BART PD’s “continued focus on boosting its visible presence in the system.” The transit agency’s police department is using sworn and non-sworn personnel to monitor the system, including crisis intervention specialists, transit ambassadors, community service officers and fare inspectors. BART also says its new fare gates at 16 stations are deterring fare evasion and improving the overall environment.
BART plans to install new gates at all 50 of its stations by the end of this year.
BART PD also enjoyed its strongest recruitment year in 2024 since the pandemic, with the officer vacancy total falling to 16.
“The department is continuing its aggressive recruitment campaign by highlighting its $15,000 hiring bonus for officers and dispatchers as well as the unique career opportunities only BART PD can offer,” agency officials said.