How To | Bay Area Rapid Transit (2024)

Report a crime or suspicious activity on BART
File a Report
Pay A Citation
Protect yourself on and around BART
Commend or make a complaint about alleged misconduct by a BPD employee
Inquire about careers with the BART Police Department
Obtain a Law Enforcement Pass
General Orders, Policies and Procedures

Report a crime or suspicious activity on BART

Depending where you are, there are several different options in reporting criminal or suspicious activity. The following will list your options on how to report these matters to the BART Police:

On a BART train:

If you have cell phone coverage, callBART Police at 510-464-7000 or toll-free at 877.679.7000.
Use the BART Watch App,a free mobile app for both iOS and Android that allows you to quickly and discreetly report criminal or suspicious activity directly to BART Police. Use BART Watch to send a text description of what you're seeing, attach a picture and select from a list of locations and categories to assist BART Police in their response. Reports can be anonymous. The app is also available in Spanish and Chinese.
For non-emergency needs you can text BART PD at510-200-0992.
You may also use the train intercom located at the ends of each train car. On BART to Antioch trains, the intercom buttons are located next to the entrance/exit doors. This will allow you to make your report to the train operator who will forward the information to the police department's communications center.
In a BART station: Contact a Police Officer or Station Agent. You may contact the Agent either in person, or you may use a white courtesy phone. Several of these phones are located throughout the station, including on the platforms.
Please note that calling 9-1-1 may go to CHP first. You can always call BART Police at 510-464-7000.

In a station parking lot or off BART property:

Contact a BART Police Officer or Community Service Officer who patrol BART parking lots.
BART parking lots are equipped with emergency phones. These phones are located throughout the parking lots and are mounted on light standards. Blue signs and blue strobe lights are posted where the phones are located. The phones go directly to the Police Department's Communications Center.
If you have cell phone coverage, callBART Police at 510-464-7000 or toll-free at 877.679.7000.

BART Watch App:

BART Watch is a free mobile app for both iOS and Android that allows you to quickly and discreetly report criminal or suspicious activity directly to BART Police. Use BART Watch to send a text description of what you're seeing, attach a picture and select from a list of locations and categories to assist BART Police in their response. Reports can be anonymous. The app is also available in Spanish and Chinese. The app can be downloaded fromGoogle Play and the App Store for iOS.

File a Report

If you have been a victim of a crime while using BART and would like to file a non-emergency police report with the BART Police Department please contact 510-464-7000.

Pay A Citation

1) Pay the citation by mail or going to: www.citationprocessingcenter.com. If you make payment by mail, send the proper amount of penalty in money order or check, payable to BART. Do not send cash. Enclose the notice of parking violation with your payment and/or proof of correction(s). Write your citation number on your payment.Mail to:

BART
Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658 - 0479

2) Contest the citation by submitting a written appeal at www.citationprocessingcenter.com or mail your appeal with any supporting information to the address noted above. Your payment or appeal must be received within 21 days of the citation date. Submitted documents will not be returned.

Ignoring the time limits shall result in immediate action in the form of additional penalties and an eventual lien hold being placed on your vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicles with 5 or more citations will be impounded or immobilized pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22651(i)(1) and 22651.7.

Note: CVC sections 4000(a)(1), 5200, and 5204 require vehicle inspection and evidence of violation correction. Evidence of correction may be obtained at any police agency during regular business hours. If corrected, bail on these violations is reduced to $10.00 per violation. Valid proof of each correction and $10.00 per corrected violation must be received within 21 days of the citation date or penalties will accrue.

You can locate lost or misplaced tickets by visiting www.citationprocessingcenter.com.

Protect yourself on and around BART

Safety Tips
Protecting Your Vehicle
Keeping An Eye Out For Suspicious Behavior

Commend or make a complaint about alleged misconduct by a BPD employee

BART Police Department Policy 1020 "Internal Investigation of Allegations of Misconduct"is in place so that citizens can make inquiries or complaints about alleged misconduct by any BART Police Department employee, or submit a commendation.

To commend an employee, you may use the following form:

Inquire about careers with the BART Police Department

Those interested in careers and job openings with the BART police should visit our employment page. For further information, contact the Police Department's Personnel and Training section at 510.464.7073. For all BART openings visit www.bart.gov.jobs

Obtain a Law Enforcement Pass

The Law Enforcement Security Enhancement Program (LESEP) came about as a result of BART's Inter-Departmental Task Force on Fare Evasion in an effort to reduce Fare Evasion in the BART System,which is a major problem. LESEP is part of our strategy to reduce these losses by providing authorized, secured BART system access to active, full-time, sworn Officers and District Attorney Investigators from pre-authorized SF Bay Area Law Enforcement Agencies.As part of LESEP, authorized Officers will receive BART ID cards also known as LEO passes, which allow BART riding privileges. Note: These passes are ONLY valid for BART trains.

To be eligible, a Peace Officer must have the authority to carry a firearm while off-duty AND be employed with one of the participating agencies. For more information on how to apply for the pass and to see the list of participating agencies, click the LESEP details link below.

Download the LESEP Details Brochure(.pdf)

General Orders, Policies and Procedures

The "Policies and Procedures Manual" contains the operational orders established by the Police Department to maintain the safety of our employees while we provide public safety and police services to our stakeholders.

Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department Policy Manual

As an expert in public safety and law enforcement procedures, particularly within the context of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, I can confidently provide detailed insights into the various aspects covered in the provided article. With a deep understanding of the policies and procedures outlined by the BART Police Department, I aim to guide individuals on how to effectively navigate situations ranging from reporting crimes to understanding citation processes. Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:

Reporting Crime or Suspicious Activity on BART:

1. BART Police Contact Options:

On a BART Train:
- Call BART Police: 510-464-7000 (toll-free: 877.679.7000)
- Use the BART Watch App (iOS/Android) for discreet reporting, including text descriptions and images.
- Text BART PD for non-emergencies: 510-200-0992
- Utilize the train intercom, especially on BART to Antioch trains.
In a BART Station:
- Contact a Police Officer or Station Agent in person or through a white courtesy phone.
- Note: 9-1-1 calls may go to CHP first; BART Police can be reached at 510-464-7000.
In a Station Parking Lot or off BART Property:
- Contact a BART Police Officer or Community Service Officer.
- Use emergency phones in parking lots or call BART Police at 510-464-7000.

2. BART Watch App:

A mobile app for iOS and Android to report criminal or suspicious activity discreetly.
Allows text descriptions, image attachments, and category selection.
Reports can be anonymous and are available in multiple languages.

3. Contact Information:

BART Police Department Headquarters: 101 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Filing a Report:

1. Victim of a Crime on BART:

To file a non-emergency police report, contact BART Police at 510-464-7000.

Paying a Citation:

1. Payment Options:

Pay by mail or online at www.citationprocessingcenter.com.
Contest the citation within 21 days through a written appeal.

2. Important Note:

Ignoring time limits may result in additional penalties and lien hold on vehicle registration.

Safety Tips on and around BART:

1. General Safety Tips:

Protecting your vehicle.
Remaining vigilant for suspicious behavior.

Commend or Complaint about BPD Employee:

1. Policy 1020: Internal Investigation:

Citizens can commend or complain about alleged misconduct.
Forms available for commendations and complaints in multiple languages.
Contact Internal Affairs via email at [emailprotected] or call 510-464-7029.

Careers with BART Police Department:

Job Inquiries:
- Visit the employment page for career opportunities.
- Contact the Police Department's Personnel and Training section at 510.464.7073.

Law Enforcement Pass (LESEP):

LESEP Purpose:
- Reducing fare evasion in the BART system.
- Providing authorized access to active, full-time, sworn officers from participating law enforcement agencies.
- Officers receive BART ID cards (LEO passes) for BART riding privileges.

General Orders, Policies, and Procedures:

Policies and Procedures Manual:
- Operational orders for maintaining safety.
- Ensuring public safety and police services adherence to established standards.

This comprehensive overview should empower individuals to navigate various scenarios within the BART system, from reporting incidents to understanding law enforcement procedures and options available for commuters and residents alike.