Transit District Invites Riders to Join 'Neighborhood Watch'

The San Mateo County Transit District is initiating a "neighborhood watch" program, which is being led by the Federal Transit Administration, for its bus and rail services.

The public awareness program, known as Transit Watch, encourages riders to participate in the safety of their transit community in the same way they watch out for their neighbors within their own communities.

The campaign is part of a nationwide initiative developed by the FTA encouraging transit employees, passengers and neighborhood residents to stay alert and work together to maintain the safety of public transportation for their community.

This week, passengers will begin seeing displays and informational brochures detailing how they can be a part of their transit community.

The campaign suggests passengers be aware of their surroundings on SamTrans and Caltrain and alert to any packages or situations that seem suspicious. If anything out of the ordinary or potentially dangerous is observed, passengers should immediately report it to the proper transit or law enforcement authorities.

For the fastest most direct response, the transit district encourages both SamTrans and Caltrain passengers to call 1-877-SAF-RAIL (1-877-723-7245) to contact local transit police.

For details about the national Transit Watch program, visit the FTA's Web site at transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov.