The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Safe and Secure program is a multi-faceted effort to increase safety across the CTA system and provide a more secure, comfortable traveling experience.
Work is under way to upgrade old cameras to high-definition and add new cameras at four stations along the Blue Line: Clinton, LaSalle, Grand and Chicago. The work, which occurs during evening and overnight hours to minimize disruption on service, will be complete shortly after Labor Day.
Through Safe & Secure, CTA will add 1,000 new cameras and upgrade more than 3,800 older-model cameras throughout the system. Additionally, new lighting, repairs and other improvements will enhance safety at all 146 CTA rail stations. New cameras will also be installed at more than 100 CTA bus turnaround locations and video monitors will be added to all CTA rail stations to aid personnel in monitoring station and customer activity.
CTA’s security camera network has doubled in size since 2011. The cameras, found at every rail station and on every bus and train, have been an important tool to help Chicago Police identify crime suspects and detect crime patterns. All of CTA’s buses and trains have multiple cameras. The newest buses have 10-14 cameras per vehicle depending on size.
Additionally, CTA has worked closely with the Chicago Police Department’s Public Transportation Unit to strengthen and deploy strategies to fight crime that include expanded police patrols, rail saturation missions and undercover operations. Since June 2011, CTA cameras have aided Police in the investigation, arrest and charging of more than 1,300 individuals.
CTA’s Safe and Secure is funded by a new, innovative fee on ride-hailing services, the first such fee in the country dedicated to public transportation improvements.
For more information on CTA security efforts, visit transitchicago.com/security.
Source: Alderman Reilly Reports 8/24/18
