Ask a Muni Security Guy

My understanding was that the cameras in the vehicle were "rotated" after so many hours, basically recording in a loop. If there is a crime on a bus, it needs to be taken out ASAP before the tape loops. Perhaps this is the question for the security guy? Thanks for answering my question, by the way, politics shouldn't come before safety.

most cameras are on hard drives. the HD's are rotated every so often. only when incidents become to our attention will the HD's be pulled sooner and the contents reveiwed. again, only so many vehicles have the HD's / "tapes."

First, thanks for answering my first question. Second, I think its really important for San Francisco to realize that we brought much of this upon ourselves. Back in the day (as I am told by my parents) MUNI implemented a strategy to cut commuter times by encouraging boarding in the rear. Now, we talk aboutit like its the anti-christ. I go to school in New York, and in all the times ive taken the busses (which is pretty often) I haven't seen a single person board from the rear.

I dont know how MUNI is going to pull out of the culture its created of rear door boarding. I know that there are cultures though, ones made of all sorts of people like new york, that PAY for their public transit.

agreed, MUNI brought this upon themselve with the back door boarding to get people on.

"They are enforced by the information provided by the individual. The courts determine if the citation was answered by the cited individual or otherwise taken care of. The courts themselves issue the fines - generally very low. fare evasion citations are not taken very seriously by the courts. There is a process in the works that fare evasion citations will be handled through the DPT Hearing Officer in the future.

Oh my god, what BULL! I'm sorry dude, I don't mean to take this out on you personally but either you are the most ignorant fare inspector ever or you're paid to LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH. I got nailed my first week in SF - I gave him my right info, he completed avoided the question of "how much?" by saying he didn't know. The ticket? $150 (at the time) - One thousand times the price of a fare. Do not tell me that this is "low." The only reason you don't tell people when they ask you is you know you'll get your ass kicked. I'm just saying - be honest.

the next step (in the process) would be to receive a statement from the courts regarding the "fine". It's 115.97 (not including court assessements - sp?). If this person contested the citation through court, he/she would probably have paid 10.00 to 30.00 for a first time "offender."

if he just received and read the notice THEN mailed in his check...

fare inspectors will "never" tell anyone what the fine amount is. Same as if you get pulled over by the police for running a stop sign. we never know what / when the court may change things - hence, fare inspectors do not "quote" fine amounts.

Proof of Payment is based on a "honor" system. Those to get caught, remain there and give their information - kudos to you, yes you will get notified of a fine and be expected to pay or contest the citation.

Conversely, There are many others who just walk or run away. fare inspectors do not have the authority to 1) verify your statements and 2) to physically stop and detain you. This is the "pitfall" in the fare inspection program. Those to wish to cheat and "beat" the system - DO. (unless a SFPD officer is there, then good luck because they can physically stop you).

Citation / Court System:

Get a citation
receive a notice in the mail on the fine or contest
if you pay the fine - that's the end.

if you contest it....
the fare inspectors receives a notice to write a written report, which goes back
to the court
the contester comes to court and reviews the report and may enter a plea
OR further contest the citation which...
a subpoena will be issued to the fare inspector for an in person appearance
at that hearing, the contester may give his/her side to the story and
question the fare inspector further
the court will eihter dismiss the citation or issue a fine - this is when it's usually
between 10.00 to 30.00 for a first timer, 20 to 40 for a second and 50 to 75 for
a third time violator and on...

IF the fare inspector does not show up to court in person as subpoenaed, the case
is dismissed automatically.

Effective July 2007, this process will be taken over by the DPT Hearing Office. The
only real change is the fine amounts - MORE. 1st timer 25.00, 2nd timer 50 to 75.
third timer 75 on up to the full amount - 115.97. (still in the finalization stages,
not set in stone just yet).