In San Francisco, legislation has recently been introduced by Supervisor Carmen Chu (District Four) that is co-sponsored by Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, and Supervisors Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Bevan Dufty which will increase the penalties for MUNI-related crime. This proposed law is in response to several recent incidents of violence at or/near MUNI stations, or onboard MUNI transportation vehicles. According to the San Francisco Examiner, there were 304 crimes recorded on MUNI in the city between January and March 25; among them 12 assaults, 61 robberies, 88 larcenies and 22 acts of graffiti and/or other vandalism. The San Francisco Police Department said it has recently improved deployment of security workers by developing a database to determine which lines and stations are most in need of security and when they need it the most.

Supervisor Chu said of her proposal “We have seen a number of incidences on Muni around the platforms and on the vehicles….Safety on Muni should be a top priority and something we do pay attention to.”

The proposed law will target people who carry concealed weapons on MUNI or near transit stations/shelters and will heighten the current penalties for those crimes. It will increase the punishment for a person who is caught loitering while carrying a concealed weapon or what’s known as “aggressive pursuit,” defined as “the willful, malicious or repeated following or harassment of another person.” Fines would increase from $500 to $1,000 — the maximum permitted under state law — for such crimes on Muni vehicles, platforms or within 25 feet of a bus zone; additionally, one could face jail time of up to six months.

By Jennifer Nicoletto, Esq.