23,000 cameras across CTA surveillance system

CHICAGO (WLS) -- CTA riders, smile! You're on camera. The Chicago Transit Agency has 23,000 security cameras across its system of buses, trains and platforms.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Police Department released photos of two men wanted in connection with a robbery on a CTA Orange Line train. The surveillance photos are clear, taken from cameras aboard the CTA's newer, 5000 series train cars.

"Cameras have gotten a lot more high tech. High definition quality is fantastic and it really does help us identify criminals and the Chicago police to make arrest," Tammy Chase, CTA spokesperson, said.

The two men robbed a group of riders on a single car of an Orange Line train during a seven minute stick-up. The car in question was not equipped with cameras, but the Roosevelt platform was, and they were caught on video from numerous angles.

The video was then analyzed at the CTA's security center, and it was linked to video of the same two men riding on another train earlier the same day. How was that done? Well, the CTA says it's an ongoing investigation and it can't say, but the earlier pictures provide some very identifiable images.

"Just looking at the face of the picture, I'm quite sure somebody will recognize them," CTA passenger Jennifer Jones said.

That is the expectation. The CTA has 23,000 cameras throughout its system on trains, buses and platforms. The cameras were largely purchased with federal money from Homeland Security.

Older trains are being retrofitted with cameras that are even more hi-res than then factory-issue cameras in the newest CTA train cars.

"Anywhere on the CTA system, if you commit a crime, we have you on camera," Chase said.