CTA expands anti-harassment campaign
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The CTA expanded its campaign to make rides safer on buses and trains. The transit authority said it will not tolerate harassment of any kind and is encouraging riders to speak up.
The new effort is called, "If It's Unwanted, It's Harassment."
The goal is to get more riders to report incidents they experience or witness, to let people know what to do if they believe they've been the victim of harassment and to make sure would-be offenders know they're being watched.
Early-morning commuters said Friday that they think the awareness campaign is a good idea, but also suggested the CTA take the effort one step further.
"They should put the conductors back on there. That way they can monitor much better. Because right now they have free-range of that whole train," Mattie Martin said.
"They bother people. They throw stuff on the train. We need conductors on the train to stop them, report them and get them off the train," Leo McDaniel said.
The campaign is an expanded, updated version of one that began in 2009 to address harassment. Community groups and advocacy organizations helped the CTA develop the new push.
Starting Friday, CTA riders will see signs on buses, trains and stations that read, "Speak Up," "It's Not OK," "It's Not Nothing" and "We Are All Watching."
