Riders react to CTA plan to replace unarmed security guards with police officers

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The CTA and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday defended the transit agency's decision to replace unarmed security guards with more sworn police officers.

"I love it," said CTA rider Casey W.. "More police to protect us and all that stuff. I love it."

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Fresh paint at the 51st Green Line station is not the only CTA upgrade.

The transit agency is ending its contract with unarmed security guards and replacing them with armed Chicago police officers and Cook County sheriff's deputies, a move riders say is the right one.

"I think that security with CTA is not readily available to handle crime that is going on," said CTA rider Kathy.

"I think it's great," CTA rider Jenny Hohmeier said. "It would make me feel much safer."

About 250 full-time employees who served as private security abruptly lost their jobs on Friday evening.

"I welcome it," CTA rider Terry Angsten said. "Sorry for anyone who loses their job, but it seems to be a necessary change... The current news cycle has indicated that there is a need for armed officers. I'm a dog lover, so I think the canines are the best defense."

The move to end contracts with private security comes as the CTA is increasing armed law enforcement by 75%.

"That contract, in long established mutually agreed upon terms, would expire when all the funds were used, and that is what occurred. That was a long tern understanding between the parties," said acting CTA President Nora Leershen.

It is part of a new security plan to satisfy the Trump administration. Last year, the president threatened to withhold federal funding if crime and security were not addressed.

"You're going to see uniformed officers across the system in a targeted, data-informed way that's driven by feedback from our riders, from our employees," Leershen said.

But the Chicago City Council Black Caucus says ending private security means putting more than 70 Black officers out of work with less than a week's notice.

In a statement, caucus chair Ald. Stephanie Coleman said, "While we recognize the CTA's need to comply with federal safety mandates, we find it unacceptable that the 'Security Enhancement Plan' comes at the direct expense of Black-owned businesses and workers."

When asked directly about Coleman's concerns, the mayor deferred to the CTA. When pressed again, the Johnson answered by saying safety is the city's top priority.

"We are going to continue to make sure that we are moving with expediency to create a safe accessible reliable affordable transits system. We are going to do that in an equitable way," Johnson said.

In the meantime, while the CTA is boosting security, the transit agency has been without a permanent head for over one year. When asked about that, the mayor declined to say when he will name someone.