BART Board Opposes Decriminalization of Fare Jumping, Sparks Controversy
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) board has taken a stand against proposed legislation that seeks to decriminalize fare evasion, causing a wave of controversy. Currently, BART police can charge serial fare evaders with a misdemeanor, but if this new state law passes, fare evasion would no longer be considered a criminal offense across the entire state.
The resolution passed by the BART board aims to send a strong message that individuals must pay for their rides if they want to use the system. However, this stance has sparked a divided opinion among BART riders and board members.
Some BART passengers interviewed by NBC Bay Area expressed their opposition to the proposed legislation. They believe that decriminalizing fare evasion will only encourage more criminal behavior. Howard Bernstein, a resident of Daly City, stated, The more we decriminalize criminal behavior, the more criminal behavior we’re going to experience.
Among the BART board members, the resolution opposing the legislation received five votes in favor and three against. Board Member Deborah Allen, who supported the resolution, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on BART’s efforts to regain ridership. According to Allen, if this provision is lost, it will be challenging to reinstate it in the future, giving the impression that BART doesn’t care about fare evasion.
During the board meeting, a BART police department representative shared prepared comments, revealing that only a few individuals have ever been charged with misdemeanor fare evasion. Despite this, the BART Police Officers Association strongly opposes decriminalizing fare evasion, emphasizing the need for all available tools to maintain system safety.
Shane Reiss, President of the BART Police Union, argued in a statement that discouraging fare evasion and having the ability to arrest repeated offenders is crucial. He cited figures from 2019 and 2020, showing that a significant percentage (80%) of individuals arrested for serious crimes like assault, theft, and sex offenses did not possess a valid BART ticket.
President Janice Li, one of the three board members who opposed the resolution, believes that the proposed legislation is unlikely to pass, rendering the resolution inconsequential. Li suggests that instead of spending time on opposing the law, the board should focus on developing more effective strategies to address fare evasion.
This controversy surrounding the decriminalization of fare evasion highlights divergent perspectives on maintaining the integrity of the BART system. While some argue that decriminalizing fare evasion could lead to an increase in offenses, others believe it is a potential solution to explore. The final outcome will determine whether fare evasion becomes a civil matter instead of a criminal offense. By taking a stand, the BART board hopes to signal to riders that fare payment is crucial for the sustainability of the transportation system.
