BART police chief tells PRNC his department needs more officers

   POINT RICHMOND - Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Chief Carlos Rojas - hired this spring after working as chief of police in Santa Ana for the past five years - told members of the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council Wednesday night the major challenge facing BART law enforcement is a lack of officers.

BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas

    "Ideally, I would like someone at every station," Rojas said.
    The chief gave a short presentation about the manifold challenges faced by BART police as well as plans to hire more officers.
    "This jurisdiction is very challenging. We police a microcosm of every city in each station and parking area."

    Rojas' department is currently responsible for 107 miles of rail, stations and parking lots.
    Earlier this spring Rojas announced a program to add 39 officers within 18 months. That program included a $10,000 hiring bonus.  He said he needs a "shortened timeline" to get qualified officers hired and working on the force.

BART Watch app

    The chief also addressed the ongoing problem of fare evasion, drawing a few laughs from the audience when he described police sometimes having to get between overzealous station agents and people jumping over the turnstiles.

    Several audience members described occasionally feeling unsafe when traversing BART parking lots and/or stations.
    Rojas said that anyone with a smartphone should download the app called BART Watch which allows users to send a message directly to BART Police about any suspicious or dangerous activity.
   He said the app has already assisted BART police in apprehension of suspects.
   The BART Police Chief can be contacted 510-464-7022. Or by email at: BART Police Chief.

(by Michael J. Fitzgerald)

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PRNC hears report on Richmond-San Rafael bridge

    The PRNC also heard a report from the MTA and BATA about opening a third eastbound lane in December on the Richmond-San Rafael bridge. For the full story, click HERE.