BART Approves New Video Surveillance To Cut Crime

BAY AREA — During this morning's meeting of BART's board of directors, agency staff presented details on the potential impacts of new surveillance technologies such as improved closed circuit television, public video monitors, emergency phones and the transit agency's smartphone app.

The technologies are intended to improve public safety by facilitating real-time monitoring of activity taking place on platforms and ease of access when contacting BART police to report a problem, but they fall under the recently approved BART surveillance technology ordinance, which has public notice requirements that include discussion during public meetings.

Two of the new technologies approved today involve video recording. Improved closed circuit television would allow BART police and other authorized users to monitor platforms and other areas within the system
for security risks and criminal activity.

It would also reassure members of the public, as well as BART employees, that someone is watching to deter crime. In the event that a crime should occur, the system could produce video evidence that could also be used to investigate accidents, mediate disputes or resolve complaints.

Video evidence through this system would be stored for seven to 30 days, and could be accessed by third parties through a subpoena. Audio evidence, however, could be saved for 90 days.

But this kind of technology has raised concerns about privacy. Privacy advocates have pointed out that a video system like this, if augmented with facial recognition technology, could be used to target the Bay Area's undocumented immigrant community.

In a related matter, BART also plans to place public video monitors above the fare gates at stations. These screens would show the closed circuit feed at that station, and serve as a visible reminder that the area is under surveillance.

BART officials hope that will deter fare evasion and reduce crime.

The transit agency also plans to deploy 204 emergency phone towers to 69 platforms, with three units evenly distributed on each platform for ease of access.

The towers will have an emergency phone which connects directly to BART dispatch, so crime victims and other people reporting an emergency will not have to dial 911 and wait for their call to be transferred. The phones will also have a blue strobe light and a closed circuit TV camera.

Video evidence gathered with that equipment could be shared with a third party, but only with a subpoena or court order. Law enforcement agencies conducting criminal investigations would also have access to that
evidence.

The BART smartphone application will be publicly available for Android and iOS for anyone who voluntarily downloads and installs it. The app will be subject to modern app store restrictions limiting the use of location
services and push notifications, therefore staff do not expect it to violate the Fourth Amendment protections of passengers.

When used, it could help passengers with navigation and trip planning. It could also provide service alerts regarding delays and help conduct surveys of BART riders.

On a more controversial note, it could also be used for fare evasion enforcement, giving BART police another way to verify payment and helping staff troubleshoot rider payment issues.

The board accepted the staff presentation regarding the surveillance of these new technologies. No one spoke up to oppose them during the public comment period regarding this agenda item.

(Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

Also See:

• List Of All ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ Restaurants In Northern California
• The 100 Best Places To Live In California Ranked 2018
• Please Don't Help My Kids

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock