CTA Ends Use of Unarmed Guards, Shifts Funds to Police and K-9 Units

Overview

• The CTA said it ended funding for private, unarmed guards and will redirect the money to sworn officers, K-9 teams, and crisis response staff, though it did not say how many officers will be added.
• Monterrey Security reported that about 250 guards were told to stop working, including 159 represented by SEIU Local 1.
• Agency leaders cited safety needs, with city data showing overall violent incidents down about 19% this year but reported sexual assaults and aggravated batteries rising.
• The shift follows months of pressure from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration, which warned the CTA could lose about $50 million unless security improved.
• City records show a $44 million CTA contract with Monterrey began in 2022 with renewal options, and the firm says a one-year renewal was signed three weeks ago that the agency has not addressed.