City Council votes to expand transit security jurisdiction

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte City Council voted to expand the jurisdiction for the private security company that patrols the transit system.

Charlotte Area Transit System pays Professional Police Services $18 million dollars for transit security. The council voted unanimously to expand PPS jurisdiction to include Charlotte Transit Center, Rail Trail, Rosa Parks Transit Center, Eastland Transit Center and adjacent areas. The agreement does not reduce the power or jurisdiction of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

“It allows us better collaboration and better results, as we all work to reduce criminal activity or non transit activity near or inside or round transit facilities,” CATS CEO Brent Cagle said.

During the public comment period of the council meeting Monday evening, several speakers shared their experiences on the trains and buses.

“I’ve been sexually harassed by unhoused men the train, not to mention the various times I have watched unhoused people on the train do things such as beating, screaming, throwing trash and having mental breakdowns,” Hallie Prister said. “Security on our LYNX Light rail platforms and trains are essential for helping deter extreme situations like Iryna’s and everyday occurrences like mine.”

This is the first policy change from city council since Iryna Zarutska was murdered on the train back on August 22nd.

“There’s a bit of a war going on right now. It may be a war of public opinion. It may be a literal war of safety, but we’re going to have to demonstrate a lot of commitment,” Councilman Ed Driggs, chair of Transportation, Planning and Development committee said.

PPS Deputy Chief Ratliff said their officers are held to the same training standards as Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers and wear body cameras while working.

“Our officers are receiving the same amount of training to become our officers and they have to maintain the same level of training that CMPD has to hold,” Ratliff said.

City council leaders voted unanimously in favor of expanding the territory of PPS. They hope to see more visible security on public transit.
“We acknowledge that there’s more to do, and we will continue to increase visual presence throughout the system, as well as increase fare enforcement activities,” CEO Cagle said.

City council hopes state lawmakers will also take steps to support their mission of making transit safer.

“We do need help from the legislature, help from the Governor’s office, we need help from federal government as well,” Councilwoman Victoria Watlington said. “When we talk about things like sentencing considerations and requirements that’s been brought up many times and that’s not something we decide on the local level we need help from our legislature.”