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The Guardian Angels vs CTA Graffiti: Detain or Assault?

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 16, 2009 3:00PM

The indispensable blog CTA Tattler brings us a very interesting story about the Guardian Angels and CTA graffiti artists. In particular is a recent incident in which some GA's caught a tagger at the Western/Milwaukee Blue Line stop but the Tattler suggest their "detainment seems to cross the line to assault" territory. (Note - according to the Tattler, the Guardian Angels choose to videotape such detainments to help prevent lawsuits.)

As the Tattler points out in his post, the CTA discourages such acts of citizen vigilanteism. As quoted from CTA policy:

CTA Security is provided by the Chicago Police Department Public Transportation Section. Officers from the unit include both uniformed and plainclothes officers who ride the trains and buses and patrol stations. Because they handle security on our system, any questions regarding the Guardian Angels should be directed to the CPD. CTA does not have a formal relationship with the Guardian Angels.

The YouTube user who posted the video, 3RDRAIL1988, has a bevy of similar videos and in the above video's post, claims in his defense:

WE ONLY USED AS MUCH FORCE AS WAS NEEDED, KEEP IN MIND HE COULD OF KILLED HIMSELF OR US IF WE FELL BETWEEN THE TRAIN CARS. WE COULD NOT TAKE CHANCES. AT THE END I APPLIED A PRESSURE POINT TO THE NOSE AND GAINED CONTROL OF SUSPECT. IT HURT HIM SO BAD HE BEGAN TO YELL AND ONLY WHEN THE POLICED ARRIVED.

A PASSENGER HELPED DETAIN OTHER SUSPECT WHEN HE WAS HANDCUFFED. ANOTHER PASSENGER TOOK OUT HIS CAMERA AND VIDEO TAPED A LITTLE BIT MORE THEN WHAT WE HAVE. WE HAD TO CONTROL THE SITUATION FIRST BEFORE WE BEGAN TO VIDEO TAPE.

The Tattler has contacted the police for comment on the incident and is awaiting a response.

Thanks for the tip, Kevin!