Friday, April 24, 2009

Robberies on CTA trains, buses and L platforms rise sharply in 2009

Sun-Times:
The CTA has become a scarier place.

Robbery has soared 77 percent on CTA trains, platforms and buses in the past three years, from 246 incidents in 2006 to 436 in 2008, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Theft -- when no force is involved -- is up 6 percent, from 1,173 reported crimes in 2006 to 1,238 in 2008.
What's being done?
Chicago Police have responded to the crime wave with a "robbery mission team" for public transit, with plainclothes officers focused on the high-crime times of 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Graebe said.

Police made 4,933 arrests on the system last year, compared with 4,576 in 2007.

They have put a special focus on the west branches of the Blue and Green lines, where about 25 percent of the robberies happened.
...
[John] Graeber (commander of Chicago Police transportation sector) said passengers should keep their purses and laptops under their arms or under their feet instead of on the seats next to them.

If they're wearing jewelry, they should try to conceal it, and men should carry wallets in their front coat or pants pockets, not in the back.

Thieves also are more likely to target victims near doors -- so they can make a quick getaway.

Mostly, passengers should stay alert, Graeber said.

"The ride can be relaxing and enjoyable when you're looking out the window and listening to your iPod, and that's the worst thing you can do," Graeber said.
If you're taking public transportation buses or trains be careful out there! Perhaps there needs to be a decent presence of police or CTA personnel on transit. I wonder if the CTA regrets cutting conductors on CTA trains.

Read the whole thing!

Via CapFax morning shorts!

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