The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has completed the installation of 1,000 high-definition (HD) surveillance cameras across the Red and Blue line subway stations to help reduce the crime rate.
The announcement was made by CTA president Dorval Carter and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The project forms part of the $38m Safe & Secure Program.
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Mayor Emanuel said: “Through this investment, we’re building on a world-class public transportation system that provides the comfortable, safe and secure experience every rider deserves.
“Upgrading CTA’s surveillance network with state-of-the-art, high definition cameras will help ensure the safety and security of all passengers who rely on our bus and rail system to get to work, school and to destinations across our great city.”
The project began in May last year, when crews started replacing and updating old analog surveillance cameras with new HD cameras across all nine Red Line subway stations and all 12 Blue Line subway stations.
As part of the project, nearly 660 cameras have been upgraded and 340 cameras installed, which increased the previous subway station camera coverage by over 50%.
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By GlobalDataSince 2011, the CTA’s security camera network has grown more than two-fold and currently includes more than 32,000 cameras system-wide.
CTA said that its cameras have been helping police in arresting nearly 200 persons per annum, identifying crime patterns and carrying out remote surveillance missions.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said: “CTA’s high-definition surveillance cameras strengthen the CPD’s ability to keep buses, trains and the entire city safe.
“The Safe and Secure Program is just one more way CPD and CTA are partnering to ensure that our transportation system is safer than ever.”
The CTA said that 1,000 cameras will be installed and over 3,800 older-model cameras will be upgraded across the rail system as part of the multi-year Safe & Secure Program.
