Dallas County Living Well Magazine November/December 2017 | Page 17

DART Safely During the Holidays T he holidays are a time for joy and celebration with family and friends. It’s also a time of year when we need to be more aware of our surround- ings when we are out and about. DART Police has a strong presence on buses and trains, and monitored se- curity cameras are present at all rail stations. Recognizing that riders also play an important role in helping keep DART safe, the agency has introduced a new mobile app – DART Say Some- thing. The app, which is available in the App Store and on Google Play, allows people to anonymously and discretely report incidents on the agen- cy’s buses and trains. A drop-down menu allows riders to select the type of activity they wish to report, as well as the location. Custom- ers can submit photos and video, and there is a notes field that allows them to type any additional information before hitting “send report.” Two-way commu- nication allows police dispatchers to request further details and allows riders to respond to alerts they receive. In addition to using the new app, these proactive tips will help keep you and your belongings safe when riding DART: 1. Plan your trip before you board your bus or train. Before you head to a stop or rail platform, know what bus or train you will be taking and when it is scheduled to arrive. DART’s GoPass ® app is a great travel tool. In addition to purchasing tickets, the free app allows you to plan your trip, locate your bus or train, and connect with Uber or Lyft if you need help cover- ing that last mile. Download the GoPass app from the App Store or the Google Play store. 2. Keep your bags close. Reduce the chances of theft by keeping your elec- tronics in your bag and holding onto your bags while on a train or bus. This also is good practice when in other public places. 3. Take precautions when parking.When parking your vehicle at a DART station (or any other public parking area), remember to always park in well-lit areas, lock your car, take your keys and hide valu- ables from plain view. The holiday season can bring out the best and worst in people. If you see any suspicious or criminal activity while on a DART bus or train, report it to DART Police imme- diately by calling 214-749-5900 or 911, or by using the new DART Say Something app. Non-smartphone us- ers can text information to the system’s text-a-tip service at 214-256-1819. Visit DART.org/Safety for more useful tips. Learn more about the DART Say Something app at DART.org/riding/ dartpoliceelerts.asp. DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 15