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Big day at BART today. The board will get an update on plan to hire social workers instead of filling vacant police officer positions to deal with social issues, a report from the Center for Policing Equity and their unbalanced budget. My background story: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/BART-to-hire-social-workers-instead-of-filling-15857032.php
Directors Dufty, Li, Saltzman, Simon introduced a resolution calling on Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley to charge former BART police officer Anthony Pirone, present when Oscar Grant was shot to death by another officer, with felony murder. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/After-reopening-Oscar-Grant-case-Alameda-DA-15862652.php
An outside report commissioned by BART said that "Pirone was, in large part, responsible for setting the events in motion that created a chaotic and tense situation on the platform, setting the stage, even if inadvertent, for the shooting of Oscar Grant." https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Family-of-Oscar-Grant-demands-murder-charges-for-15792854.php
Director Bevan Dufty said the Alameda County DA had all the same information as the law firm that conducted the report. "It’s deeply concerning that at that time there were not charges levied," he said. "Justice delayed is justice denied."
"If I lost my child, whether to community violence or violence from anyone, I would seek the ends of the earth to find those people and hold those people accountable," Director Lateefah Simon said. "That’s all we’re asking."
Oscar Grant's mom Wanda Johnson told the board "I want you to think about your child saying they can’t breathe and then suddenly they’re shot and blood is coming out of their mouth...If you were mother or father, you would definitely want that person held accountable."
The resolution calling on Alameda County DA to charge former BART police officer Anthony Pirone with felony murder, and any other criminal charges applicable, for the death of Oscar Grant passes 6-3. Directors Allen, Ames and McPartland dissented.
Allen said Oscar Grant's death was a "tragic event" that led to police reform. But she said "prosecuting those responsible belongs in the hands of the district attorney" since BART directors are not experts in the law. She urged the board to focus on police resources and reform.
Ames said Oscar Grant's death was a "heinous crime" but she felt like BART "crossed a line" by accusing someone of murder. She supported pressuring the DA and seeking truth: "I do want to see justice and policing changes from this and we can learn from this and heal."
McPartland, who retired from a career in public safety, was the only director on board when Oscar Grant was killed. He said he would urge state AG to reopen case, but couldn't support demanding another agency change its conclusion or put a target on DA given past death threats.
The Board is receiving a presentation on racial disparities in policing based on a Center for Policing Equity report and six recommendations the department is adopting to reform policing. Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Report-on-BART-reveals-racial-disparity-in-15857366.php
“The officer that instigated the situation...pinned him to the concrete...used racial epithets has never been charged,” Oscar Grant's mom Wanda Johnson told BART. “If you were that child’s mother...you would definitely want that person held accountable.” https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Oscar-Grant-BART-leaders-condemn-DA-decision-to-15871811.php
More in BART board marathon: Ridership isn't returning. With newly approved federal funds, the fiscal hole this year should be closed, but the agency predicts that through the end of fiscal year 2023, the deficit will grow to approximately $500 million without more national help.
BART ridership depends on when offices go back, with 70% of rider trips before the pandemic for work. Read my take on what the future may hold: https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2021/future-of-transit/
To fill the financial hole, BART is wrapping up its retirement incentive program, although it won't know how many employees will take the package and the budget impact till mid-February. The agency isn't pursuing other layoffs at the time. Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/BART-shrinks-budget-deficit-OKs-retirement-15740953.php
In fiscal year 2022, which starts in July, the projected deficit is $254 million. In fiscal year 2023, starting in July 2022, the deficit is $198 million. That all depends on the uncertainty of more federal relief.
BART staff today said they're "confident" they'll get in excess of $55 million from the new federal relief bill. Last year the agency got $377 million. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is deciding now how to dole out new money to operators. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-transit-gets-975-million-from-new-15822117.php
"I'm grateful we didn't make rash decisions to lay off employees or close stations," Director Janice Li said. "I cannot stress how large future deficits look."
Li expressed confidence in new administration with Biden set to release a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill.
Li expressed confidence in new administration with Biden set to release a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill.
Director Rebecca Saltzman said Biden's new bill includes $20 billion for transit – more than what was just approved in most recent COVID-19 relief.
