In a report that should come as good news to Bay Area commuters, BART has observed a significant drop in crime rates across its stations. According to the July Chief’s Report released by the transit agency, violent crimes on BART decreased from 203 incidents in the first seven months of 2024 to 130 incidents during the same period in 2025. Property crimes saw a similar downturn, plunging from 1,091 reported instances to 547 for the current year.
The crime reduction coincides with BART PD’s enforcement strategy, emphasizing a highly visible safety presence in the transit system. Alongside policing efforts, BART has made strides in upgrading infrastructure with the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates in 48 of its 50 stations. These new barriers, which put the brakes on fare evasion and other negative activities, are a cornerstone of BART’s Safe and Clean Plan.
Digging into the details, robberies have dropped significantly, from 126 to 37, as detailed in the July report. Cellphone theft, a bane for commuters, has almost vanished, with a mere one incident reported in July following a theft-free June. Vehicle-related thefts also sharply declined, from 449 auto burglaries last year to 162 in 2025…