The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Transit Police Bureau responded to 3,487 calls for service across the SamTrans bus and Caltrain rail systems in 2025, Lt. Lou Aquino told the SamTrans Board of Directors on Wednesday, Aug. 5, according to SamTrans.
Aquino presented the bureau's 2025 Annual Report at the board's regular meeting, chaired by Marie Chuang, in Millbrae. No board vote was required.
23 years of partnership
The sheriff's office has served as the transit district's contracted law enforcement provider since 2002. Under a 20-hour contract, the bureau patrols 77 miles of Caltrain track, 32 stations spanning San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and 76 SamTrans bus routes throughout San Mateo County and into parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto.
By the numbers
Beyond the 3,487 calls, the bureau took 117 formal reports, issued 10,733 parking citations and towed 11 abandoned vehicles during 2025.
The most common call types in 2025: signals out of order led the list at 98, followed by theft at 90, non-injury accidents at 27, lost property at 19 and hit-and-run incidents at 12. Ticket vending machine alarms (10), found property (9), traffic hazards (8) and recovered stolen vehicles (5) rounded out the top categories.
Broader safety focus
The bureau uses the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to classify and report transit-related incidents. Its services extend beyond patrol response to include K-9 support, emergency preparedness coordination and community engagement.
In 2025, transit police personnel also presented to the San Mateo County Office of Education, briefing school administrators on how transit incidents are reported and highlighting resources for schools whose students ride public transportation.
The Aug. 5 board meeting also included a separate onboard bus safety update on the board agenda.
How to weigh in
The next regular SamTrans Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. at 166 North Rollins Road, Millbrae, with Zoom access available. Residents can email public comments to [email protected] or call the District Secretary at 650-551-6108 with questions about the agenda.
