REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director
Department of Transportation
BY: DANIEL COLBERT, Safety & Security Training Officer
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - to Support Assembly Bill (AB) 394 (Wilson), a bill to enhance and expand the safety and security of FAX and other California public transit systems employees, passengers and contractors against assaults.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council to approve the Resolution to support AB 394 (Wilson).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This bill would promote safer transit environments for transit workers, passengers and contractors by expanding existing law to protect all transit employees, passengers and contractors against assaults by enhancing statewide criminal sentences and fines, including increasing the potential punishment of assaults that cause injury to incarceration in state prison for 16 months, or two or three years, as well as permitting transit agencies to seek a criminal court-ordered post-conviction transit use prohibition, if the court finds that the individual in question continues to pose a threat. The California Transit Association (CTA) is co-sponsoring this bill with the California Conference Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the Teamsters, and SMART-TD.
BACKGROUND
Assaults on transit workers have skyrocketed since 2014, with over 220% increase nationwide. FAX employees are being threatened, verbally and/or physically assaulted weekly. Transit workers are on the front lines every day, ensuring riders get to their destinations safely. Too often our members are subjected to violent assaults and harassment by simply doing their jobs.
FAX currently works with the Fresno Police Department, its FAX Unit and City Attorney’s Office using civil workplace violence restraining orders (CVRO) to prohibit those who have assaulted or threaten transit staff and/or riders. This who are restrained by the court by a CVRO are not allowed to ride or be at any transit facilities for a period of up to three years. AB 394 is a critical step toward further protecting transit workers by also holding offenders criminally accountable and keeping repeat violent offenders off our buses with jail and potential state prison time, and fines up to $10,000. This legislation will help ensure our transit employees and contractors can focus on their jobs without fear for their safety while keeping transit safe for riders. We urge the City Council to stand with all transit workers and support this bill. Everyone deserves to feel safe when using public transportation.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
California Environmental Quality Act is not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund from this action. The cost of supporting this bill shall be minimal and can be met by existing FAX budget appropriations.
Attachments:
Resolution of Support for AB394 (Wilson)
Text of AB394 (Wilson as Introduced)