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SEARCHThe surge is made possible by funding provided by CTA to expand the program.
Under VSEP, CPD police officers sign up to patrol the CTA on their days off
Credit: METRO Magazine
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) unveiled a new security surge plan developed in collaboration between the two agencies.
As of now, CPD will increase the number of sworn law enforcement officers participating in its Voluntary Special Employment Program (VSEP), who are deployed to patrol CTA’s bus and rail system, from an average of 77 sworn law enforcement officers per day to 120 officers.
The surge is made possible by funding provided by CTA to expand the program. In its FY2026 budget issued in October, CTA noted that additional investments would be made to bring more Chicago Police officers into the system.
Under VSEP, CPD police officers sign up to patrol the CTA on their days off. It is a supplement to CPD’s Public Transportation Section and District police officers. CTA also has VSEP programs for additional police resources with the three area suburbs.
To supplement the increase in police officers on the system, private security canine (K-9) staffing will also increase, from an average of 172 canine security guards per day to 188 guards, officials said.
“CPD officers are at the core of CTA’s multilayered security strategy and I value our partnership with Superintendent Snelling and his staff as we continue our longstanding commitment to keep our riders safe,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “We expect the additional police and K-9 presence on our system to further increase security visibility.”
Under the surge plan, CTA and CPD will work together to strategically deploy the added resources based on combined crime data and CTA system information. This is in line with the agencies’ longstanding partnership and daily communication.
According to statistics reported earlier this month by CPD, crimes on CTA’s system are down 19% for the month of November, compared to 2024. That same category is down 3% year-to-date, compared to the same period last year.
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