we actually did it and the cta is finally moving forward with those security upgrades. thanks for sticking with me while we pushed for a safer ride because this wouldnt have happened without you. im gonna keep an eye on how they roll this out but for tonight im just …
December 5, 2021
Final supporters
Throughout the past few years, The Chicago L has had problems with Crime, Drugs, and Homelessness. From 2016-2019 violent crime on the Chicago L has more than doubled from less than one offense per 1 million trips to 2.5 per million. The pandemic has, of course, made the situation worse, where violent crime doubled again. Not only has crime increased, but also homelessness, drug use, smoking, and other minor offenses such as littering. The combination of these situations significantly worsen the situation for riders and is a factor that keeps many from using the L. With the increase in crime and homelessness combined with increased wait times for buses and trains due to staffing shortages, it is undeniable that riders are coming back to a worse transit system than that which they left in March 2020. Transit systems across the world will have to find ways to attract new riders due to the fact that many will continue to work from home and will travel significantly less. The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) will need to address these issues if they want to return to pre-pandemic ridership levels.
This petition demands a number of specific improvements to the L. 1. Better fare gates. While fare evasion itself isn't the biggest problem, most people who break other laws or CTA rules get onto the system without paying their fare. The current turnstiles on the L are easy to jump over or crawl under, and the handicap door is easy to open from the outside without paying, which make fare evasion a frequent occurrence. Desired fare gates would be high enough that people can't reach or jump over them, low enough that people wouldn't be able to crawl under them, and strong enough that people can't push or pull them open. 2. More CTA police officers. Currently there is very little officer presence on the L, even at major crime hotspots. An increase in officers at these hotspots, as well as other stations would help reduce the response time to a crime, as well as crime itself. Additionally it's important that the CTA have it's own police force, so that the CTA can change deployment patterns more quickly as needed, and so that officers can specialize in dealing with crime on public transport, which will result in safer and more efficient behavior from officers. 3. Mental health and drug addiction professionals as well as violence interrupters. Not every situation requires police, many problems could be much better solved by providing help to those causing them. Especially when deployed at the last stations on each line, Metal health and drug addiction professionals could really help the homeless and drug addicts improve their situation and prevent them from feeling like they need to return to the system for shelter and/or comfort. 4. Anything else. There are many other solutions out there that are proven to help prevent crime on public transport. If any other solution would work well for the CTA, they should work to implement it.
Overall, The point of this petition is to show that Chicagoans are displeased with the current conditions on the L and want to hear from the CTA that noticeable improvements are coming.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 24, 2021
114 Comments
It is getting ridiculous! I was mugged on the train a few years ago, and I think it’s significantly worse now. I used to rely on the blue line for work but have been taking Ubers or coordinate with people who have cars.
La situation es muy peligrosa necesitamos Mas vijilancia cada vez q uso El transporte no se que situacion me encontrare un asalto, personas fumando Marijuana o personas vendiendo cosas robadas...muy critica la situacion...la linea Roja es demasiado sucia asquerosa...por favor necesitamos ayuda.
I have to use red line to commute to college and I feel completely unsafe. Sometimes I get threatened by some passengers, and I have to change trains. But it’s the fastest way to commute and it’s freezing outside to wait for buses which are late for 30-40 minutes sometimes, so I don’t have a choice but keep using subway.
I ride the redline daily. The amount of disrespect and disregard is disgusting. I shouldn't have to tolerate breathing in second cigarette or Marijuana smoke on a daily occurrence. Its ridiculous that absolutely nothing is being done to combat this behavior and offense.
Need more security presence and help for mental health and homeless people. During the cold weather we will start seeing more transient and it can be scary when I take my child on the train.
The constant weed and cigarette smoking gangbangers harassing the riders people drinking alcohol the constant violent behavior from homeless and mentally ill people to cta riders and employees it's out of control its like no one cares to care about the riders or employees who don't want to intervene when they see these things are happening because they (being the cta employees) and us (the cta riders) don't feel protected or safe enough on the train and or bus although u offer that red "assistant "button on the train no action is ever taken that equates to be called assistance from cta. I don't expect the bus or train operators to have to be security when you all keep hiring K-9unit that's not doing their jobs and only picking the north side and downtown to be where they do their job.
I should be able to go back & forth from work/home safely using the Blue line
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we actually did it and the cta is finally moving forward with those security upgrades. thanks for sticking with me while we pushed for a safer ride because this wouldnt have happened without you. im gonna keep an eye on how they roll this out but for tonight im just …
December 5, 2021
Final supporters
Throughout the past few years, The Chicago L has had problems with Crime, Drugs, and Homelessness. From 2016-2019 violent crime on the Chicago L has more than doubled from less than one offense per 1 million trips to 2.5 per million. The pandemic has, of course, made the situation worse, where violent crime doubled again. Not only has crime increased, but also homelessness, drug use, smoking, and other minor offenses such as littering. The combination of these situations significantly worsen the situation for riders and is a factor that keeps many from using the L. With the increase in crime and homelessness combined with increased wait times for buses and trains due to staffing shortages, it is undeniable that riders are coming back to a worse transit system than that which they left in March 2020. Transit systems across the world will have to find ways to attract new riders due to the fact that many will continue to work from home and will travel significantly less. The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) will need to address these issues if they want to return to pre-pandemic ridership levels.
This petition demands a number of specific improvements to the L. 1. Better fare gates. While fare evasion itself isn't the biggest problem, most people who break other laws or CTA rules get onto the system without paying their fare. The current turnstiles on the L are easy to jump over or crawl under, and the handicap door is easy to open from the outside without paying, which make fare evasion a frequent occurrence. Desired fare gates would be high enough that people can't reach or jump over them, low enough that people wouldn't be able to crawl under them, and strong enough that people can't push or pull them open. 2. More CTA police officers. Currently there is very little officer presence on the L, even at major crime hotspots. An increase in officers at these hotspots, as well as other stations would help reduce the response time to a crime, as well as crime itself. Additionally it's important that the CTA have it's own police force, so that the CTA can change deployment patterns more quickly as needed, and so that officers can specialize in dealing with crime on public transport, which will result in safer and more efficient behavior from officers. 3. Mental health and drug addiction professionals as well as violence interrupters. Not every situation requires police, many problems could be much better solved by providing help to those causing them. Especially when deployed at the last stations on each line, Metal health and drug addiction professionals could really help the homeless and drug addicts improve their situation and prevent them from feeling like they need to return to the system for shelter and/or comfort. 4. Anything else. There are many other solutions out there that are proven to help prevent crime on public transport. If any other solution would work well for the CTA, they should work to implement it.
Overall, The point of this petition is to show that Chicagoans are displeased with the current conditions on the L and want to hear from the CTA that noticeable improvements are coming.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 24, 2021
114 Comments
Blue Line has guys openly doing hard drugs while riding the train, even in the early evening and middle of the day. The cigarette smoking is also terrible, and a health risk (can you say class action lawsuit, CTA?). 45 years ive ridden the CTA, never seen it this bad.
It is getting ridiculous! I was mugged on the train a few years ago, and I think it’s significantly worse now. I used to rely on the blue line for work but have been taking Ubers or coordinate with people who have cars.
La situation es muy peligrosa necesitamos Mas vijilancia cada vez q uso El transporte no se que situacion me encontrare un asalto, personas fumando Marijuana o personas vendiendo cosas robadas...muy critica la situacion...la linea Roja es demasiado sucia asquerosa...por favor necesitamos ayuda.
I have to use red line to commute to college and I feel completely unsafe. Sometimes I get threatened by some passengers, and I have to change trains. But it’s the fastest way to commute and it’s freezing outside to wait for buses which are late for 30-40 minutes sometimes, so I don’t have a choice but keep using subway.
I ride the redline daily. The amount of disrespect and disregard is disgusting. I shouldn't have to tolerate breathing in second cigarette or Marijuana smoke on a daily occurrence. Its ridiculous that absolutely nothing is being done to combat this behavior and offense.
Need more security presence and help for mental health and homeless people. During the cold weather we will start seeing more transient and it can be scary when I take my child on the train.
The constant weed and cigarette smoking gangbangers harassing the riders people drinking alcohol the constant violent behavior from homeless and mentally ill people to cta riders and employees it's out of control its like no one cares to care about the riders or employees who don't want to intervene when they see these things are happening because they (being the cta employees) and us (the cta riders) don't feel protected or safe enough on the train and or bus although u offer that red "assistant "button on the train no action is ever taken that equates to be called assistance from cta. I don't expect the bus or train operators to have to be security when you all keep hiring K-9unit that's not doing their jobs and only picking the north side and downtown to be where they do their job.
I should be able to go back & forth from work/home safely using the Blue line
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Blue Line has guys openly doing hard drugs while riding the train, even in the early evening and middle of the day. The cigarette smoking is also terrible, and a health risk (can you say class action lawsuit, CTA?). 45 years ive ridden the CTA, never seen it this bad.