By Janya Herrera
@redlineproject
Chicago public transportation has faced significant criticism over the past couple of years due to crime. Surprisingly, data show overall crime rates have decreased compared to previous years.
After a man was stabbed in the neck on the Blue Line train recently, it may not be a surprise to some when the federal government announced its threats to withhold funding for the Chicago Transit Authority unless new safety measures are provided for passengers.
However, crime rates seem to have improved, and violent crimes aren’t the most common form of crime on the CTA, according to Chicago Police Department data.
The CTA has made changes prompted by the threat of funding cuts, like scaling back security at train stations and replacing them with Chicago Police Department officers. Before the CTA worked with third-party security companies to have unarmed security, some with muzzled K-9 units, positioned at some stations in the hopes of minimizing crime. But as the crimes continued, the CTA replaced them with CPD officers who have a lot more legal authority and capabilities than the security team.
Many question if adding more equipped security is really the answer or if fighting root causes like homelessness, drug abuse,and mental illness is more effective. Advocates point out that many perpetrators on the CTA tend to fall into one, if not many, of these categories.
| Interactive infographic