BART has touted cracking down on fare evaders as a solution to its looming fiscal cliff, but a new study shows the bang may not be worth the buck.

The big picture: The public transit agency has taken steps to bolster fare evasion enforcement operations amid budget shortfalls, perceptions of crime and pandemic-driven ridership declines.

Driving the news: Fare evasion-specific enforcement "does not appear connected to any measurable reduction in reported crimes, either related to physical safety or public disorder," states the the Center for Policing Equity's (CPE) new report.

• Most arrests from these stops are due to outstanding warrants for minor offenses, often unrelated to BART, and not violent crimes or actual fare evasion charges, the study notes.

Reality check: Only 6-12% of proof of payment citations were actually paid, per corporate finance advisory firm Stout's calculations as cited in the CPE study.

Between the lines: On the BART system, both sworn and fare inspection officers can stop riders and issue a warning or citation.

• Black people — who account for under 9% of the population served by the system — comprised 49.6% of fare evasion citations and 59.4% of arrests resulting from fare evasion stops, per the study.

What they're saying: BART police officers are "empowered to just say, 'Hey have you paid your fare?'" Hans Menos, vice president of CPE's triage response team, told Axios.

• "It could be because they looked unhoused or addicted, or they're looking for a weapon. Or it could be legitimate. But that allows for a lot of discretion."

The other side: Alicia Trost, BART's chief communications officer, told Axios via email that BART has "no plans to change our current efforts to replace fare gates and enforce our code of conduct, which includes ... an increase in the visible safety presence in the system."

• Trost added that the study was conducted before BART switched to new jump-resistant fare gates, which she said addresses disparity concerns because they significantly deter fare evasion and reduce interactions between riders and officers.

Go deeper

San Francisco is changing its approach to addressing drug addiction with a new policy emphasizing treatment.

Why it matters: The city has for years been grappling with a deadly drug epidemic fueled largely by fentanyl.

Driving the news: Last week, Mayor Daniel Lurie signed District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey's "Recovery First" ordinance to guide the city's response to addressing substance abuse with an emphasis on long-term remission and drug-free living as its primary goals.

The big picture: With this new approach, San Francisco will be prioritizing programs that help people find treatment and stay sober in the long run, instead of short-term solutions that "do the very least" for helping drug users, according to Dorsey.

What they're saying: "Having a statement of policy that is a clear, self-directed and healthy life, free from illicit drug use is what we're aspiring to through the process of recovery," Dorsey, a recovering addict, told Axios.

Catch up quick: The policy builds on Lurie's broader plan to address homelessness and addiction with initiatives like a new $37.5 million fund and an emergency fentanyl ordinance.

Between the lines: The ordinance also comes amid the mayor's campaign to roll back some harm reduction programs, a safety-based practice that has faced criticism for enabling addiction.

The bottom line: While Dorsey said he is not against the practice due to the nonlinear nature of recovery, he hopes this new approach will better demonstrate the city's commitment to getting people help and off the streets.

What's next

⚖️ Undercover ICE agents detained at least four people yesterday morning — in what attorneys believe is the first wave of arrests of undocumented immigrants at San Francisco Immigration Court. (SF Standard)

🚙 The Hyundai Elantra was the most frequently stolen car in San Francisco in 2023 and 2024. (SF Chronicle)

🚨 The city's public defenders are accusing District Attorney Brooke Jenkins of improperly withholding evidence in both misdemeanor and felony cases on a regular basis. (Mission Local)

🏢 Salesforce plans to buy cloud data firm Informatica for around $8 billion. (SF Chronicle)

The rising cost of daycare is outpacing inflation.

Why it matters: Climbing child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, forcing some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely.

Zoom in: In California, the average annual cost of daycare tuition for two children — one toddler and one infant — was about $39,200 last year, per 2024 data from the advocacy group Child Care Aware.

• That's about 16% of the median household income for a married couple in California, based on 2024 census data.

The big picture: The average annual cost nationwide was $28,168 — about 35% of U.S. median household annual income.

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Taking in views of San Francisco's stunning skyline while cruising along the bay is an experience I'd recommend to any local or visitor alike.

The latest: I went on a scenic boat ride one recent afternoon and caught glimpses of the bay's best landmarks, including Alcatraz, Treasure Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, while floating on the water.

• My favorite part was watching the fog roll in over the city as the sun was setting.

If you go: Numerous companies offer sailing trips, cruises or boat tours at varying prices. Or you can always opt to take the ferry, though more intimate experiences may provide better sightseeing opportunities.