Just two days after New York Gov. Cathy Hochul announced plans to deploy the National Guard to help police curb a spike in crime in the Big Apple’s subways, she is urging another deep blue state to do the same. There are increasing demands.
Keith Hill, president of Chicago’s largest transit union, said he welcomes the Illinois National Guard to conduct bag checks on Windy City trains and buses to increase security and make the system safer.
“Police are involved in everything that happens in the city, so any assistance to ensure that passengers, workers, everyone feels safe when using the system is greatly appreciated,” Hill said. he told CBS News on Friday.
A police SUV is seen parked outside the Roosevelt CTA station in Chicago’s Loop on December 19, 2023. (Eileen T. Messler/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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“It’s still the best way to get around the city, but the only way people can experience it is by doing it themselves,” said Hill, president of United Transit Union 241, which represents Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus drivers. It’s just a matter of feeling safe.” In Chicago.
Citing police data, the Chicago Tribune reported that violent crime rates on CTA trains decreased in 2023 but remained above pre-pandemic levels. The downward trend continued last year as Chicago Police and the CTA sent more officers, unarmed security guards and K-12 teams to the train system, doubling security costs.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, have not said they are considering deploying the National Guard. Fox News Digital reached out to each office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. (Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Hill believes New York’s move could work effectively in Chicago as well. Governor Hochul announced Wednesday that 750 National Guard troops will be sent to the subways to assist the New York City Police Department with bag checks at busy station entrances. Approximately 250 New York State and MTA police officers will also be deployed.
The move comes as New York City seeks to curb a nearly 20% increase in crime levels from a year ago in the first two months of 2024, according to NYPD data cited by the New York Post. Ta.
Hill said Pritzker and Johnson need to create a sense of safety on public transportation in the city.
“We need passengers and workers to feel comfortable and safe as we move people around this city, so we need to think about something and do something about it,” Hill told CBS. Ta.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting at the Hilton Midtown in New York City on September 19, 2023. (John Nation/Wire Image)
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He said the inconvenience and time wasted of baggage screening is worth it to increase safety.
“How long is two minutes to get someone’s bag checked?” Hill asked.
“We know for a fact that people ride with weapons on buses. Weapons fall out while they’re sleeping. So bag checks are very welcome to me. It makes people feel safe. If so, this is to ensure that passengers can escape from the bus.” From A to B, you are welcome. ”
