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A Special
Safety Message from the SFMTA
and the San Francisco Police Department
Since the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, many people have had varying degrees of discomfort in public places.
The SFMTA has prepared the following information about
safety and security on the Muni system to answer questions you may have, as
well as to assure you of our efforts to maintain the safest public transportation
system
possible.
Safety Recommendations
- Be aware of your surroundings. Most Muni customers use the same travel
pattern each day and become very familiar with stations, stops, vehicles,
and SFMTA employees, as well as other customers. Be alert for suspicious
people or objects. Most, of course, are harmless, but if you are genuinely
concerned, inform a police officer or SFMTA employee.
- Never confront a suspicious person or touch a suspicious
object. Move away from the object and notify police or SFMTA personnel immediately.
- Review emergency exit information posted
in Muni stations and vehicles. On your next
few rides, pay attention to the locations of
all exits from stations, buses, and streetcars.
Review the location of safety equipment on
vehicles.
- In the event
of an emergency
in a station
or vehicle,
remain calm – don’t
panic – follow
the instructions
of SFMTA or
rescue personnel.
- Between stations
in the subways never leave
a streetcar
unless instructed
or assisted
by SFMTA or
rescue personnel.
High voltage
electrical
systems that
power the cars
can be extremely
dangerous.
In recent years, the SFMTA and the City of San Francisco have made extensive
preparations for managing emergencies, including terrorist threats. We
train with and maintain constant communications with regional and federal
emergency and law enforcement agencies. Since the September 11 attack,
the SFMTA has been on a heightened state of alert, patrolling our stations,
other transit facilities and vehicles.
These safety recommendations are good precautions at all times on the
Muni system, not just during this period of public concern. Please be
assured that providing you with safe transportation each day remains
our top priority, and thank you for riding Muni.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr.
Executive Director/CEO |
Heather Fong
Chief of Police |
The SFMTA has launched Transit
Watch, a new public awareness and education campaign. Read about what
you can do to improve safety on Muni.
Help put Pickpockets out of business
Don't let your daily routine lull you into
giving pickpockets a better chance to do their dirty work. Here are some
tips on how to protect yourself from
pickpockets:
- Stay awake. A pickpocket's easiest victim is a sleeping passenger. If you
feel drowsy, it's best to get up and stand.
- Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
- Beware of loud arguments or commotion. Incidents can be staged to
distract while a pocket is being picked.
- Backpacks are prime targets for pickpockets. Never wear your
backpack on your back. Either carry it in your hands or by
your side.
- Carry wallets inside coat or front pants
pocket - never in a backpack.
- Close all
handbags and
carry them
securely in
front of you.
- Avoid
displaying large
amounts of
money in
public.
- If
you are
the victim
of a
pickpocket, get
help immediately.
Reporting Crime on Muni
Did you see an incident you wish to report? Notify the vehicle operator if
it is safe to do so. Otherwise, call the San Franciso 3-1-1 Customer Service Center or the Muni Crime Hotline at 415-671-3181. Please get as much
information as possible, including the number or letter of the Muni line, the
four-digit number on the vehicle (cable car numbers have one or two digits),
the location, the direction of travel, and the time of day.
Additional Stops in the Evening
Ask for a "request stop."
Between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., additional passenger stops will be made
either for persons waiting for a transit vehicle, or for passengers on a transit
vehicle at their request, at the nearside corner of any street intersection
located between the regular stops. The nearside corner is the one the vehicle
reaches before it crosses the intersection.
However, this rule does not apply to the following streets, where stops will
be made only at the regularly designated stops at all times:
- Market Street, east of Castro Street;
- Van Ness Avenue;
- Columbus Avenue;
- Ocean Avenue;
- the north side of Lincoln Way, from 11th Avenue to 35th Avenue; and
- the north side of Lincoln Way, at 46th Avenue.
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