Some people are not happy about BART's new PSA about 'creeps' on trains



Click ahead for our slightly tongue-in-cheek rundown of the worst BART passengers you encounter on a daily basis. At least we can all agree that creeps need to stop creepin' on BART.

Click ahead for our slightly tongue-in-cheek rundown of the worst BART passengers you encounter on a daily basis. At least we can all agree that creeps need to stop creepin' on BART. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close Some people are not happy about BART's new PSA about 'creeps' on trains 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

UPDATE: In response to criticism from riders, BART has since added an additional poster to their "Creepy 101" campaign. The new "Don't Be Creepy 101" poster tells riders to "keep your hands to yourself" and "don't leer."

Being vigilant and aware of your situation is good. Not being a creep in the first place is better. Do both! pic.twitter.com/ZbyNonwtRx — SFBART (@SFBART) April 12, 2017

ORIGINAL STORY: A PSA from BART on how to avoid "creeps" on trains is being blasted by some riders as victim blaming and inappropriate.

BART posted its "Avoiding Creeps 101" on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Among the tips were "Don't sit by yourself: If it's late at night, ride up front near the train operator" and "Don't get distracted: Phones, music and sleeping can make you a target."

Thom Yorke didn't give us his input, but we're still pretty sure these are some great tips for #AvoidingCreeps while riding. What're yours? pic.twitter.com/CI7GxCoPKl — SFBART (@SFBART) April 11, 2017

Because the poster focused on the actions of the victim, not the so-called creep, people immediately began questioning the tact on Twitter.

"Hey @SFBART - How about you focus on telling Creepers how not to Creep instead of chiding legit riders on how to ride?" one person responded.

"So the responsibility for avoiding assault / harassment is on the victim?" another asked.

The PSA on Facebook includes a longer explanation of BART's stance on creeps ("The fault for people's behavior - from leering onward - lies entirely with them. No one should feel guilty for other people's bad behavior, or for 'not doing enough' beforehand"), but was still met with similar frustration about the poster's perceived victim-blaming tone.

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"If you actually believe what you wrote in your disclaimer, why didn't you make a poster about how not to be a creep on BART?" one person posted on Facebook.

BART's Twitter account, however, did address one person asking for them to share tips on not being a creep.

"Don't leer. Respect other people's body language and personal space," BART wrote. "Keep your hands to yourself. Assume everyone riding swiped left on you."