NCJ Number
64814
Date Published
1978
Length
144 pages
Annotation
A TRANSCRIPT IS PROVIDED OF TESTIMONY FROM ILLINOIS TRANSIT PERSONNEL, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRANSPORTATION UNION, THE POLICE, AND RIDERS CONCERNING WAYS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE AND PASSENGER SECURITY.
Abstract
THE TESTIMONY, WHICH WAS GIVEN BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, CONCERNS THE EXTENT OF CURRENT SECURITY MEASURES IN CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY SERVICES AND THE NORTHERN REGION OF THE REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY TO REDUCE AND PREVENT CRIMES AGAINST TRANSIT PERSONNEL AND PASSENGERS. WITNESSES FROM THE INVOLVED TRANSIT AUTHORITIES INDICATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS COVERED BY THE TRANSIT SERVICE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEE AND PASSENGER SECURITY. PROVISION OF A SPECIAL SECURITY FORCE FUNDED BY THE TRANSIT AUTHORITIES WAS BELIEVED TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE. LIGHTS ON TRANSIT PLATFORMS, MONITORED CLOSED-CIRCUIT TV CAMERAS AT WAITING STATIONS, DIRECT RADIO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DRIVERS AND THE CENTRAL TRANSIT OFFICE, AND THE HIRING OF 40 ADDITIONAL OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS TO WALK PLATFORMS AND RIDE VEHICLES WERE CITED AS SECURITY MEASURES THAT ARE OR WILL SHORTLY BE UNDERWAY. DEFECTIVE VEHICLE RADIOS, POOR RECORDKEEPING REGARDING TRANSIT CRIMES, INADEQUATE POLICE AND TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOLLOWUP WHEN A CRIME IS REPORTED, AND LACK OF A POLICE PRESENCE ON EACH VEHICLE DURING HIGH-CRIME HOURS ARE LISTED AS SECURITY INADEQUACIES THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. (RCB)