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OC Bus

Security and Safety

Tackling crime together
OC Bus is a safe way to travel. Yet we know that keeping you safe depends on your involvement. Please help us by keeping vigilant and letting your driver know if you see or hear something that seems suspicious. We are trained to take it from there! Together we’re safer!
Report any abandoned bags
That abandoned bag or package might be left accidentally but please let us make the call. Tell your driver so they can handle.
Keep an eye on theft
It is always wise to keep track of your possessions. If you do see theft happen or have had something stolen please report the incident to your driver.
Limit photos to selfies
People don’t need photos of our security cameras or other parts of the bus. Let your driver know if you see suspicious photos being taken.
Stop crime before it happens
If you see or hear something that has you concerned please do not hesitate to tell your driver. They are trained to respond quickly and quietly.
Speak up against harassment
Unwanted touching and rude comments are considered harassment. If this is happening to you or another rider please tell your driver. They know what to do.
Stop vandalism
Help us keep our transit centers from being vandalized. Please tell one of our drivers if you see anyone tagging, defacing or damaging our centers.

When you board an OCTA bus, you’re more protected than you think.

Reporting an incident
Between a video surveillance system and quick access to law enforcement, help can arrive within a matter of minutes. But we also need your assistance. What you see could help save lives. So if you see anything suspicious, please contact your driver immediately or call 911.

Key numbers for security concerns
Emergencies – Police Department: 911
Non-emergencies – Sheriff’s Dispatch: (714) 647-7000

Four details we’ll need from you

The more information we get from you, the easier it is for us to respond to reports of suspicious objects or activities. Being observant and taking mental notes will be extremely helpful. Here are some basics we’ll need to act fast. Please tell us:

1. WHO OR WHAT YOU SAW
Provide the bus driver or law enforcement agent with specifics that will help us identify suspicious characters. What were they? What was unique about them?

2. WHEN YOU SAW IT
Time of day is important if you are reporting something after the fact, or suspicious activity you’ve been seeing on a regular basis.

3. WHERE IT OCCURRED
Please let us know exactly where it occurred. If you are reporting something you saw onboard the bus, please identify the route number and bus number if possible.

4. WHY THE OBJECT OR ACTIVITY IS SUSPICIOUS
Let us know what caused you to take notice and alert us to the object or activity. Any additional insight will go a long way!

Spotting suspicious activity

What is suspicious activity? Any behavior that might be related to terrorism or terrorism-related activities, such as a person who appears to be hanging around in a specific location, for no apparent good reason, especially if they are at least partially concealed from sight, and who appears to be unusually interested in the facility or building, beyond a casual or professional interest.

Familiarize yourself with the following signs of suspicious activity and report people who are:

  • Loitering, especially in an unauthorized or restricted area;

  • Watching or staring at employees and/or passengers;

  • Displaying nervous behaviors, such as pacing back and forth, or fidgeting;

  • Engaged in disorderly conduct, or otherwise disturbing other people or making them uneasy;

  • Taking notes or measurements, pacing off distances, or sketching the floor plan;

  • Photographing the facility, or filming it using a video camera;

  • Looking at the facility through binoculars for an unusual amount of time;

  • Wearing bulky clothing, or clothing that is too heavy for the weather that day;

  • Carrying a weapon, or who appears to have a weapon; and/or

  • Carrying a suspicious package, or abandoning items and then quickly leaving.


Determining if an item is suspicious

Most unattended items are lost or forgotten. However, if you see an item that looks suspicious, don’t go near it, and immediately report it to transit officials or police. Characteristics of a suspicious package often include items:

  • Placed in an out-of-the-way or concealed location;

  • With batteries, wires, tanks, bottles, or bags attached to them, since they could contain chemicals or explosives;

  • Which emit or are surrounded by a suspicious cloud, mist, gas, vapor, odor, or fluid seeping from it;

  • Which have a message attached to it; and/or

  • Which are near individuals displaying signs of illness or distress.


Listen to your intuition

The behaviors and characteristics are based on guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security. However, law enforcement officials would always say that if something just doesn’t seem right, please Be the One to bring it to our attention. Your gut instinct could make a difference.

Interviews with trained responders

OC Bus places a high level of importance on training our coach operators about how to handle suspicious activity or packages. We work with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to ensure that all our riders are safe...and in safe hands. Watch our interviews to see trained responders in action.


Spotting suspicious activity

What is suspicious activity? Any behavior that might be related to terrorism or terrorism-related activities, such as a person who appears to be hanging around in a specific location, for no apparent good reason, especially if they are at least partially concealed from sight, and who appears to be unusually interested in the facility or building, beyond a casual or professional interest.

Familiarize yourself with the following signs of suspicious activity and report people who are:

  • Loitering, especially in an unauthorized or restricted area;

  • Watching or staring at employees and/or passengers;

  • Displaying nervous behaviors, such as pacing back and forth, or fidgeting;

  • Engaged in disorderly conduct, or otherwise disturbing other people or making them uneasy;

  • Taking notes or measurements, pacing off distances, or sketching the floor plan;

  • Photographing the facility, or filming it using a video camera;

  • Looking at the facility through binoculars for an unusual amount of time;

  • Wearing bulky clothing, or clothing that is too heavy for the weather that day;

  • Carrying a weapon, or who appears to have a weapon; and/or

  • Carrying a suspicious package, or abandoning items and then quickly leaving.


Determining if an item is suspicious

Most unattended items are lost or forgotten. However, if you see an item that looks suspicious, don’t go near it, and immediately report it to transit officials or police. Characteristics of a suspicious package often include items:

  • Placed in an out-of-the-way or concealed location;

  • With batteries, wires, tanks, bottles, or bags attached to them, since they could contain chemicals or explosives;

  • Which emit or are surrounded by a suspicious cloud, mist, gas, vapor, odor, or fluid seeping from it;

  • Which have a message attached to it; and/or

  • Which are near individuals displaying signs of illness or distress.


Listen to your intuition

The behaviors and characteristics are based on guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security. However, law enforcement officials would always say that if something just doesn’t seem right, please Be the One to bring it to our attention. Your gut instinct could make a difference.

Interviews with trained responders

OC Bus places a high level of importance on training our coach operators about how to handle suspicious activity or packages. We work with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to ensure that all our riders are safe...and in safe hands. Watch our interviews to see trained responders in action.



OC Bus Security is responsible for keeping you, our drivers and facilities safe. In conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff, we develop training and response protocols to ensure we react and respond appropriately to any incident. Your involvement helps us respond quickly and prevent potential problems.


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