Early security surge shows positive results; transit worker assaults down more than 25 percent
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today submitted its Revised Security Enhancement Plan (Plan) to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which includes a 75 percent increase in monthly system policing hours, aggressive crime reduction targets, and expanded social service support—bolstered by early data showing that crime reduction strategies implemented over the past three months are working. The Plan is CTA's formal response to an FTA Special Directive issued in December and details how the agency will significantly expand the law enforcement surge it launched in December.
The Plan was created in collaboration with the Chicago Police Department (CPD)—CTA’s primary law enforcement partner—and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. CTA is also in frequent communication with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office about security initiatives.
"This plan represents my commitment to our employees and riders. As part of its holistic approach to security, CTA is significantly increasing policing hours through the Chicago Police Department’s Public Transit Section and off-duty policing program, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department has been engaged to bring their officers onto CTA. CTA is also expanding social service support, from introducing mental health teams to funding shelter beds for the unhoused and investing in technology that supports the officers that patrol the system. The January and February results from CTA and CPD’s joint security surge have been promising, and we’ve built on that momentum by creating a sustainable security model that puts people first," said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen.
“CPD, in close partnership with CTA, is committed to enhancing safety on the public transit system for all ridership and employees,” said CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling. “In this updated security plan, CPD will have more officers patrolling the rail system to both deter crime and respond to incidents more quickly. This builds on the progress we have made throughout the past year to hold criminal offenders accountable through an increased police presence on the rail system, the launch of a new Public Transit Strategic Decision Support Center and strengthened, specialized transit crime investigations.”
“The CTA is one of the largest public transit systems in America and our office looks forward to working closely with them as they expand and invest in their security environment,” said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. “Along with providing Sheriff’s Police officers that will soon be patrolling the CTA, my office will be leading a public safety task force for the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority starting in June. NITA is a recently created government body that will oversee CTA, Metra and Pace.”
CTA shares the United States Department of Transportation and FTA’s commitment to the safety and security of CTA employees and riders.
The Plan commits to 75 percent more monthly policing hours on the CTA’s system, including:
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34 percent more hours from CPD’s Public Transit Section;
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Double the off-duty officers patrolling CTA on their days off as part of CPD’s Voluntary Special Employment Program (VSEP); and
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Cook County Sheriff's Police officers working on CTA’s rail lines (4,400 hours monthly).
New law enforcement initiatives
CTA has worked closely with CPD to implement new police missions across its system, including:
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Transit Rider Interaction Program (TRIP) missions: Teams of 6-8 officers board trains and inspect cars at high-incident stations. Over 300 TRIP missions have been conducted since they were launched in January; crime at targeted stations dropped 15 percent.
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Bus Ride-Along missions: Officers patrol CTA bus routes with the most reported crimes and highest rates of fare evasion.
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Bus Safe Corridor missions: Police are stationed at bus stops in high-crime areas during peak hours.
Positive results from security surge
The improved security numbers since the December 2025 introduction of the CTA and CPD’s joint security surge are compelling:
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Total transit worker assaults fell 25 percent in January and 29 percent in February when compared to the six-month average leading up to the start of the security surge in December 2025.
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In addition, when comparing the period since the start of the surge (December 19, 2025) through the end of February 2026, with the same period in the previous year:
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Violent crime on buses plummeted 19 percent.
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Systemwide crime dropped 9 percent.
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Incidents of crime on CTA’s rail system fell 9 percent.
Other initiatives and investments
The Plan features other aspects of CTA’s comprehensive approach to keeping its employees and riders safe:
Social Services & Crisis Intervention
- Partnership with Chicago Department of Family and Support Services: CTA funds outreach teams on the Blue and Red lines (24-hour service) to connect unhoused riders with shelter, housing, and social services. Since 2023, over 300 people have been placed in shelter and 200 moved to stable or permanent housing. In 2026, CTA is funding 30 dedicated shelter beds—a five-fold increase—with $1.65M in allocated funding.
The FTA will review the Plan.