Less than 15 hours after the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced a plan to increase security on the city’s bus and rail lines, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a warning on Friday threatening to withhold federal funding unless a more aggressive crime reduction plan is implemented.
In a letter sent by the Federal Transit Administration, the CTA was directed to develop a new “Security Enhancement Plan” with stronger crime reduction targets and countermeasures. Failure to comply within 90 days could result in the withholding of up to $50 million in Urbanized Area Formula funds, which accounts for approximately 25% of the agency’s funding.
The FTA’s action follows a special safety directive issued to the CTA on December 8 after a disturbing incident where a 26-year-old woman was set on fire aboard a Blue Line train by a repeat offender who should have been on electronic monitoring. The letter from Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro expressed concern over the inadequacy of the CTA’s current safety measures and the rising trend of violent incidents on public transportation.
CTA recently unveiled a new security surge plan that involves increasing the presence of off-duty Chicago police officers through the Voluntary Special Employment Program and adding private canine security guards at rail stations and trains. However, federal officials criticized the plan for not significantly increasing overall security hours and failing to address fundamental safety gaps within the CTA system.
The FTA raised concerns about the inadequacy of the crime reduction targets set by CTA, which they believe would only marginally reduce assaults on employees and riders. With about two major assaults on employees occurring weekly, the federal agency emphasized the need for a more comprehensive and effective safety strategy.
The federal letter puts pressure on the CTA to revise their security plan within the specified timeframe to avoid the risk of losing a substantial portion of their federal funding. The future of Chicago’s public transportation safety measures now hinges on the agency’s ability to meet the demands set forth by the Department of Transportation.
As this situation unfolds, it underscores the critical importance of prioritizing public safety on public transportation systems to ensure the well-being of passengers and employees alike.
