New crisis intervention and community violence prevention teams will soon be present across select rail lines of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). A $9.6 million budget will support these teams for a one-year trial. Workers in these teams will have training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, mental health care, and first aid, including CPR and Narcan, as shared by CTA’s Chief Innovation Officer Molly Poppe to the board.
The CTA board has approved contracts with several nonprofits for these so-called ‘safe ride specialists’ during its monthly meeting. This decision marks one of the last actions by the current board before impending changes induced by new state transit funding and reform legislation.
The introduction of this pilot program addresses persistent discussions on improving crime and quality of life within the transit system, including issues like smoking and aiding the unhoused or those facing mental health crises. This initiative is part of a broader reform effort as the region transitions to a new transit governance system, with over $1 billion in projected annual revenue.
Specialist teams will become operational in September, based on CTA estimates. These developments follow an earlier increase of law enforcement in response to previous threats of federal fund withdrawal under President Trump’s administration. Subsequent crime data indicates a substantial 29% decline in serious crime on CTA lines within the city, according to Chicago police figures.
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen highlighted the achievements of the agency’s multi-layered security strategy. ‘We’ve added another layer here that isn’t reliant on a single resource but multiple,’ she noted.
The Metropolitan Family Services nonprofit holds the largest contract under the new safe ride program. Receiving up to $6.6 million, they aim to deploy 20 community violence intervention specialists on a central segment of the Red Line. These specialists will engage proactively with young transit users to foster trust and rapport, as explained by CTA’s chief security officer Joe Bird. They will operate every day from noon to 3:30 a.m.
Additional contracts were awarded to groups like Housing Forward, Street Samaritans, and Healthcare Alternative Systems. Their initiatives will cover various portions of the Green and Blue transit lines.
Moreover, the CTA board has authorized further funding for a joint program with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services. This effort aids people using the CTA as a shelter, earmarking funds for outreach and specific shelter beds on the Red and Blue lines. The initiative will continue through 2027, with optional extensions.
Despite evidence of reduced crime, safety concerns persist. Pennie McCoach, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, criticized current measures as ‘inadequate’ in light of the tragic death of CTA employee Thomas Kevin Barlow.
The latest board session was the current board’s final regular meeting before its term ends on September 1. New members, including re-appointees Lester Barclay and Michael Eaddy, will join the revamped board, alongside new appointees like Dee Atkins and Tom Kotarac. Governor JB Pritzker’s appointments are awaited for the two remaining board positions.