Muni Passenger's Tweet to Mayor Lurie Underscores San Francisco Transit Safety Challenges

San Francisco, CA – A recent tweet by local personality James Kincaid has drawn attention to persistent public safety concerns on the city's public transit system, specifically tagging Mayor Daniel Lurie and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Kincaid recounted an incident on a Muni Line 38 bus where, despite the presence of fare checkers, a "drug addict" allegedly harassed passengers without intervention.

"This is spot on! I was on the 38 recently with fare checkers, but they didn’t dare check or remove the drug addict who was harassing me and other fare paying passengers. Get your house in order and your priorities straight @DanielLurie @SFPD," Kincaid stated in his social media post.

The tweet highlights a critical area of focus for Mayor Daniel Lurie, who assumed office in early 2025 on a platform emphasizing public safety, addressing homelessness, and restoring a sense of order to San Francisco. His administration has consistently underscored its commitment to improving the daily experience for residents, including on public transportation.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which operates Muni, maintains a "Safety Equity Initiative" and a "Code of Good Conduct" that explicitly prohibit harassment and other unlawful activities on its system. The agency encourages passengers to report incidents to 311 or, in emergencies, to 911, and states that such activities will be reported to the SFPD. SFMTA has also indicated increased security measures and a heightened SFPD presence on Muni.

The SFPD plays a direct role in transit security through dedicated units such as the Muni Response Team (MRT), which provides a uniformed presence, and the plainclothes Muni Task Force (MTF) for investigations. While SFMTA's "Proof of Payment Unit" conducts fare inspections, it's important to note that these fare checkers are not sworn police officers, though they work in coordination with the broader security framework. Kincaid's tweet underscores the public's ongoing expectations for effective enforcement and intervention against disruptive behavior on public transit.