Boost in visible BPD presence fuels increase in felony arrests

As more officers are patrolling our system, BART police officers have made more felony arrests so far in 2022 than they have in four years. Through September BPD officers made 323 felony arrests systemwide. That’s BPD’s highest year-to-date total since 2018 and is just one shy of the felony arrest total for all of 2021.

“This increase in felony arrests is proof that our officers are making a difference in keeping our system safe,” said BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez. “The increased number of felony arrests is further proof our Progressive Policing strategy is allowing sworn officers to focus on serious crimes. This increase in arrests wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our officers and making being out in the system a priority.”

BPD’s efforts are being bolstered by a robust network of more than 4,000 working cameras on trains, in stations, and in parking structures. Images from these videos are being used to identify many of the suspects being arrested by BPD officers.

On top of the felony arrests for criminal incidents that occurred in the BART system, BPD officers made 480 felony warrant arrests for people contacted on BART who had active warrants issued by outside agencies. Officers also arrested multiple people for an additional 16 felony BART warrants.

The increase in arrests is happening as BPD continues its non-stop efforts to recruit new officers. The Department currently has more than 20 officer vacancies and is offering a $15,000 hiring bonus for laterals and academy graduates. Officer candidates interested in applying can go to: https://www.bart.gov/about/police/employment