Rahm Defends New Security Cameras at CTA Train Stops

By Soyoung Kwak in News on Oct 16, 2011 6:00PM

We're feeling pretty Rahmantic today at the Chicagoist office, as Mayor Emanuel announced his goal of making our commutes safer by adding more security cameras to CTA train stops. The new cameras will round out the promised 1,500 extra security cameras at various train stations around the city. Even though the CTA faces some fiscal major challenges in 2012 (which includes climbing out of a $277 million budget deficit), Mayor Emanuel is adamant the cameras are crucial to ensure safety.

Are the pricey new security cameras actually helping CTA riders, or are they completely worthless? Mayor Emanuel says they have been extremely helpful:

“Two sites, one here at Loyola station and the other at Armitage, those cameras were essential in catching two incidents, two criminals that were committing crimes or had committed crimes and that's an indication of how technology can be helpful,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Critics argue that whoever is going to commit a crime will commit it regardless of cameras. Even if security cameras if they're not a crime-deterrent, our guess is that Emanuel would still defend the security camera installations for their use in apprehending criminals.