CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte transit officials are taking steps to improve security in the wake of the deadly stabbing last week on a Blue Line train.
In December 2024, The Charlotte Area Transit System consolidated its safety and security operations under contracted firm Professional Security Services to streamline oversight and enhance service delivery.
CATS officials say over the last eight months, security officers conducted regular patrols of public and closed-off areas. Further, there are active enforcement officers to make sure people pay for fares, and officials are working with police to ban repeat offenders from public transportation.
Charlotte city leaders look for transit safety solutions after stabbing death near light rail
CATS’ ongoing safety efforts also include:
- Deployment of security officers across the system during all hours of operation, seven days a week.
- CATS says PSS currently has 184 security personnel with a total contracted amount of 219 total security personnel. PSS is actively recruiting, hiring and training staff with the goal of achieving full staffing this fall.
- Development of a new training facility to provide real-world scenario training, in addition to meeting all state certification requirements.
- Staffing a full team of police dispatchers to staff the PSS Transit Police Dispatch Center. Operation of 10 active police patrol vehicles, with 18 vehicles system-wide supporting safety efforts.
Police officially arrested Decarlos Brown Jr. Thursday in connection to the murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. Court records show the stabbing occurred on the Blue Line train near the East/West Station in South End…