Regional Transit Task Force coming to public transportation in Chicago, Cook County
CHICAGO (WLS) — There’s a new Regional Transit Task Force on crime, coming to public transit.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke talked about it Monday afternoon.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure on public transit,” O’Neill Burke said. “This task force brings law enforcement and transit partners together to share intelligence, deter transit-related crime and improve public safety to better protect riders, transit workers and our communities.”
She explained how the task force will fight crime on CTA buses and trains in Chicago and throughout Cook County.
The RTTF will meet regularly, with its first meeting scheduled for May 26. Participants include representatives from the CCSAO, the Chicago Police Department, CTA, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF, DEA, Metra and Pace.
O’Neill Burke was joined by the acting CTA president and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, too.
“The formation of this task force marks a historic moment as CTA expands and builds upon its security strategy,” CTA acting President Nora Leerhsen said. “This is an unprecedented partnership that brings together local, county and federal law enforcement to work alongside every major transit agency in the Chicago region. Our message is simple: Law enforcement at every level is working in tandem with CTA to ensure a vibrant, thriving future for public transit.”
There have been numerous high-profile crimes on the CTA recently, including last week when a CTA bus was hijacked at knifepoint.
“Safe public transit is essential for connecting communities in and around the Chicagoland region,” Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said. “We look forward to working with transit and law enforcement partners to improve safety and security for the two million public transit riders in Northeastern Illinois.”
The task force will focus on prosecuting crime. Data show crime is down on public transit.
“The Regional Transit Task force is another tool that will bring us together to hold criminal offenders accountable and prevent further crime from occurring on our buses and trains,” Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “This task force is an example of what happens when all levels of government and law enforcement collaborate to better serve and safeguard those utilizing public transportation throughout the city.”
O’Neill Burke says she’s hoping to prevent crime by sending a strong message to would-be criminals.
“This task force will meet regularly and work together for solutions that will protect transit riders and workers,” she said.
It will look at crimes ranging from the stabbing of two Red Line passengers in March to misdemeanors like smoking on the train.
O’Neill Burke says better communication and strategizing among the various agencies should help improve crime-fighting efforts.
Volunteers from the violence interrupters are announcing plans to serve as volunteer security personnel on some of the more dangerous bus routes.
“A lot of crimes that take place on CTA buses are crimes of opportunity. There’s no need for passengers to feel unsafe when they board CTA buses or trains,” Tio Hardiman said.
The volunteers will serve as extra sets of eyes on buses. They will have no police authority.
“Even if we can’t do the work the police and sheriff does, we would like to be enhancement to security on CTA buses,” Lavon Timms said.
CTA leaders are not commenting on the efforts of the violence interrupters, but they say whatever they can do to reduce crime is important.
“What you are seeing today is an unprecedented level of commitment, resources and work focused entirely on the safety of the riding public,” Leerhsen said.
While there have been other efforts focused on crime on public transit, the state’s attorney’s office is beginning this immediately.