BART issues four safety steps to combat hate and ensure safety of riders

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the BART Police issued a statement of support and security to ensure riders of the transit system's commitment to keeping them safe amid heightened fears of violence and profiling stemming from the escalation of war in the Middle East.

If riders feel unsafe while riding BART, the agency advises riders to:

• Move to another car away from what is making them feel unsafe.
• Notify the train operator using the call box on each car, use the BART watch app or text BART Police. BART notes all station platforms have call boxes or white phones that connect with an employee at all hours of the day.
• Wait in a safe place, such as by the station agent booth, if getting picked up at the station.
• Practice safe bystander intervention.

Safe bystander intervention

The bystander intervention approach is about centering the impacted person, their feelings, their experience and their needs while ignoring the attacker to prevent escalating the incident.

There are four steps for safe bystander intervention:

1. Assess the situation: Does the harasser have a weapon? If yes, call BART police. If no, continue with the intervention.
2. Ask another bystander to support: Use phrases such as:
• Can you help me intervene by discreetly taking a picture/video of the situation?
• Can you help me intervene by contacting the BART train operator using the train car intercom?
• Can you help me intervene by noting the BART car number located above the end car doors? We will need it if we report this situation.
• Can you help me intervene by keeping an eye out to make sure things do not escalate?
3. Approach the targeted person and ignore the attacker: Make sure the targeted person knows you are here to help. Ask for permission. Ignore the attacker and engage in a conversation with the targeted person.

4. Offer options to the targeted person for how you can support them: BART notes It helps to offer two to three options because in traumatic situations, people may panic and be unsure of what to do. Use phrases such as:
• Do you want me to walk you to your destination?
• Do you want to get off at the next station and wait for the next train with you?
• Do you want to move to another BART car with me?
• Do you want to report this to BART Police? If so, do you want me to be a witness in the report?

BART notes to respect the person's wishes if they say no and they are okay. Give space if that is what is asked.