Local Briefs

The Bay Area carpooling service 511 Rideshare on Tuesday announced that it is extending its rewards program, offering drivers even more incentive to avoid rush hour commutes through ridesharing.

The Rideshare Rewards program, originally scheduled to expire July 31, will be continued another two months until Sept. 29, according to Rideshare officials. Under the program, which began May 1, new carpoolers receive $10 in gas or Safeway gift cards for every five days of carpooling, up to a maximum of $100 in a three-month period. Rideshare officials say that in the first three months, 400 new carpoolers were signed up for the rewards program, saving an estimated total $76,500 in gas costs while earning another $40,000 in rewards. The participants averaged about 17 days carpooling each month.

Other benefits to the rewards program, according to officials, include reduced wear and tear on cars and not having to pay bridge tolls during rush hour.

More information can be found at http://www.rideshare.511.org.

Sheriff unveils anonymous gang tip line

In response to citizens’ concerns about gang-related crime in San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office gang intelligence unit announced Wednesday a new toll-free anonymous tip line for the members of the public to report gang activity.

Detective Sgt. Tom Gallagher reported that during community meetings, several people have asked about how to provide police with information about graffiti, gang hangouts and violent crimes.

The gang intelligence unit provides "up-to-the-minute information” on gang activity to the San Mateo County gang task force, a field unit combating gangs on the streets, Gallagher said.

"We welcome and encourage members of the community to call us with any type of gang information,” he said.

The non-emergency gang tip line number is (888) 400-GANG or (888) 400-4264.

Children ride BART free on Saturdays in August

Children up to 12 years old will get a free ride on Bay Area Rapid Transit on Saturdays through the month of August and can combine the free trip with special offers by the California Academy of Science, the Oakland Athletics and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, BART reported Thursday.

Up to two children accompanied by a fare-paying adult can ride free under the program by showing BART ticket agents a special flash pass - available at all BART stations and most Safeway stores - and then entering the area for ticketed passengers through the swing gates.

The free Saturdays are sponsored by VIZ Media, a San Francisco-based publishing, licensing and animation company, which will give away free "kids’ packs” to children with flash passes at the Powell Street station Aug. 26.<