These are the BART stations with the most phone and laptop thefts

FILE - Commuters and train riders at the Concord/Martinez BART station at nighttime. New BART police records revealed an increase in phone and laptop theft in 2019. FILE - Commuters and train riders at the Concord/Martinez BART station at nighttime. New BART police records revealed an increase in phone and laptop theft in 2019. Photo: Mardis Coers/Moment Editorial/Getty Images Photo: Mardis Coers/Moment Editorial/Getty Images Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close These are the BART stations with the most phone and laptop thefts 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

Device theft is an increasing problem at BART stations in San Francisco, and many commuters don't even notice when it happens to them.

Yet, recent BART police records revealed the risk of getting your phone snatched on your commute is even higher — especially if you're riding through two stations in San Francisco.

According to The Chronicle, there was a systemwide increase of 288 incidents in 2019 over the previous year, with 1,180 devices reported stolen. And, apparently, the chances of it happening to you are highest riding between Powell Street and Balboa Park stations. The latter topped the list of BART stations with the most thefts with 118 reported incidents, followed by the Oakland Coliseum, which saw 103 reported robberies.

Both Mission District stations were next on the list, with 88 incidents reported at 24th Street Mission and 81 at 16th Street Mission. Meanwhile, Fruitvale Station was the second-highest East Bay station for theft with 63 incidents.

MORE: BART board approves of 'ambassador' program where unarmed officers will ride trains

Ed Alvarez, BART's new chief of police, is reportedly confronting the issue by implementing "new deployment strategies." Earlier this month, a new team of 12 police officers began riding trains in pairs and patrolling station platforms on nights and weekends. And recently, the transit agency's board of directors unanimously approved a six-month "ambassadorship" program in which unarmed officers will appear on trains from 2 p.m. to midnight seven days a week.

A BART news release said the program, beginning Feb. 10, is intended to "address customers’ concerns about safety and security."

"In 2019, 59% of violent crimes at BART were attributed to electronic thefts. If we are successful in stopping cellphone thefts, the violent crime rate at BART will dramatically drop," wrote BART.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett