Bus ads remind us ‘safety is everyone’s goal’

By Behind the Badge staff

The mission to keep Orange County safe and secure is now being incorporated into Orange County’s mass transportation network.

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See Something, Say Something’s Safe OC campaign has new public service announcement (PSA) within Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses — a highly visible, strategic placement as riders take off to high-profile events, such as this summer’s World Cup games, future Super Bowls, or the L.A. Olympics.

The PSAs declare that “safety is everyone’s goal” and urge the public to report suspicious activity, unattended items, or unusual behavior. If readers use the PSA’s QR code, their phones will direct them to SafeOC.com, where the “submit a tip” function (which can include a photo) will be reviewed by experts at the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, said SafeOC communications manager Brian Lochrie.

Organizers hope the PSAs will provide the public an easy reporting tool if something seems amiss.

“Whenever there are high-profile, well-attended activities like the World Cup games, it’s important to maintain vigilance and awareness, including when traveling to and from the event,” Lochrie added. “At SafeOC, we wanted to include safety messaging on public transit because many visitors to these events may choose to utilize the public bus system rather than navigate unfamiliar freeways.”

The OCTA bus displays are only one element to the equation.

Lochrie said SafeOC messaging is also being added to video screens at gas station pumps throughout Orange County, as well as on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

To learn more and to sign up for the SafeOC newsletter, visit SafeOC.com.

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