SamTrans is strengthening its enforcement policy against harassment, fare evasion and assaults, as well as ramping up investment on security cameras within the transit system, including Caltrain stops.
Last year, the county’s transit district adopted an updated code of conduct and installed protective barriers on many of its buses to protect driver safety.
During a meeting Oct. 8, SamTrans board members approved a formal policy that streamlines the enforcement process for those who violate the code of conduct, said SamTrans spokesperson Randol White.
“Before, there wasn’t a formal process on what to do for violating [the code of conduct],” White said. “This steps up a formal process. We work with law enforcement, and in certain cases, if need be, filing restraining orders through court.”
In a press release, SamTrans CEO April Chan said the updated approach is “fundamental to public confidence in transit, and this policy reinforces our commitment to that principle.”
The board also approved a four-year, $1.4 million contract to upgrade its surveillance camera system, of which Caltrain is also a part.
"Our existing CCTV system is more than 10 years old, which has led to reliability and performance challenges that we've been addressing through temporary fixes. That approach is no longer sustainable. In addition, the system's age makes it increasingly difficult to integrate newer technologies, and replacement components are becoming harder to source,” said Scott Kirkpatrick, deputy director of Safety and Security at SamTrans, via email. “While no final decisions have been made about expanding coverage, we are including expansion options in the design so we're prepared to move forward if needed."
The recent investments are not in response to elevated crime on SamTrans property, Kirkpatrick added, stating that the agency is “being proactive, not reactive” in its approach.
According to a recent press release, however, the Federal Transit Administration has reported a steady national rise in assaults on transit workers, with an average annual increase of 8% over the past decade.
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