The Federal Transit Administration threatened to pull federal funding for the Chicago Transit Authority over its newly launched security surge, which in a letter the FTA blasted as not strong enough.
“This ‘plan’ fails to measurably reduce incidents of assaults and improve overall safety on buses and trains. If people’s safety is at risk, so are federal funds. CTA must act to save lives and improve safety,” said FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro.
The demand for a new safety plan came earlier this month. The FTA cited a November attack on a Loop Blue Line train, which it said could have been prevented. A 26-year-old woman was set on fire and critically burned. The suspect, Lawrence Reed, has a long criminal history and has been federally charged.
Prosecutors also indicated in court that Reed was on electronic monitoring at the time.
Following the FTA’s threat, NBC Chicago spoke with riders, including EJ Williams, who just moved to Chicago from Houston and takes the train nearly every day.
“I mean, I feel pretty safe right now. It could be a little better,” he said.
Hours earlier, Chicago Police say a man set himself on fire on a moving train that stopped at Damen. No one else was hurt, but the scene stalled trains during the morning rush.
Police said the man intentionally started a small fire to his personal belongings, causing burns to his leg. The 52-year-old was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition and taken into custody by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Another CTA rider, Natida Nivansnanda, said there have been a few instances where she felt uneasy.
“I feel like, anybody who rides public transportation, it’s just going to happen in a big city,” she said.
The CTA’s enhanced security plan, which took effect Friday, involves 43 additional Chicago police officers through the Voluntary Special Employment Program (VSEP) program to patrol near bus and train stations during their off time.
The officers will be compensated through the CTA.
“In stations where there are officers there like 24-7, I don’t really see them doing anything substantial,” CTA rider Elke Schultz said.
Schultz said she feels the CTA is safe, and while she has been annoyed often, she’s never felt in danger on the bus or the train.
Evelyn Sorta said she felt similar.
“I think overpolicing of areas like Wicker Park and the Blue Line can be detrimental,” she said. “But I know that safety measures need to be taken.”
NBC Chicago checked out busy “L” stations downtown on Friday and didn’t see a noticeable increase in police officers. The CTA plans to use Chicago police crime data to determine which areas to boost patrols.
“I think the CTA is safe, and I think if the federal government wants to improve it, they should fund our stations and our cleanliness and our employees,” Schultz said.
The FTA threatened to withhold as much as $50 million in federal funding if a stronger plan isn’t submitted within 90 days.
The CTA said it has received the federal government’s response and will respond within the allotted time frame of 30 days.
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