City says more CPD officers, unarmed security guards are coming to CTA system

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's a scene we've been seeing far too often lately – police and crime scene tape instead of passengers boarding trains at CTA stations.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Transit Authority promised to do something about violence.

CBS 2's Jackie Kostek spoke Wednesday to several people who ride the CTA Red Line line almost every day for work. They say the recent violent crime hasn't made them stop riding the train, but for some, it's changed how they ride.

"I used to be kind of carefree," said Von Kemp, who works at Flaco's Tacos at 46 E. Chicago Ave. near the Chicago Avenue Red Line stop.

But for longtime CTA Red Line riders, the train ride to and from work is no longer a time to decompress.

"Sometimes I stand up, you know, just to be more aware, you know, of surroundings," said Carlos Diaz, who works at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Instead, riders are on high alert.

"I don't really like listening to my headphones either," Kemp said, "or if I do, I always have one ear open."

The shifts in behavior brought on by a recent uptick in violent crime on the CTA.

"I've seen people with knives on the train; people with guns, that just – you know, you've really got to be careful out there," Kemp said.

City leaders came together at the Chicago Avenue Red Line stop Wednesday to address concerns they say began when CTA ridership fell off during the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, because there were fewer riders on the system for a long stretch of time, this in turn led some people to feel a little bit more emboldened to engage in unacceptable behavior," said CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.

Just last week, there were at least four violent attacks along CTA trains. And on Tuesday night, a man was shot on a Red Line train at 63rd street.

In an effort to crack down on crime, CTA riders will soon see more Chicago Police officers and unarmed private security guards in and around stations, on platforms, and actually riding trains and buses.

Neither the CPD nor the CTA would say exactly how many officers and guards will be added.

"As much as we need to send to the CTA to make it safe is the amount of resources we'll send," said police Supt. David Brown.

Carter said riders will likely start to see those additional guards in the next couple of weeks, and the plan is to have guards working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

But many CTA riders say even with additional resources, their safety is still in their own hands.

"I weigh a buck and a half soaking wet and I'm 5'2". I'm the easiest target," said Hailey Boyle, who works at Scoops Dessert Bar at 838 N. State St. They could pick me up very easily. So I'm just always alert and convinced that something's going to happen, so just being hyper-aware makes being in that state easier, I guess."

As for that shooting that happened at the 63rd Street Red Line station Tuesday night, the CPD said they are reviewing security cameras from the platform and do believe the two offenders knew the victim - but they do not have anyone in custody.