A security plan Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA president Forrest Claypool announced in June to double the amount of security cameras and increase police presence at CTA train stations has wrapped six weeks early.
Nearly 1,500 cameras were added across the CTA "L" system, complementing "wolf packs" of Chicago Police Department officers dedicated to the transit system.
The original announcement followed a string of smart phone and iPad robberies on the CTA and the death of a 68-year-old deacon who was knocked down a staircase in March during an iPhone robbery at the Fullerton station.
Police hope the extra cameras will deter crimes before they happen and help track down suspects.
In 2010 images from CTA buses and rail stations helped police make 69 arrests, according to police. Last month cameras at the Armitage Brown line station arrested Christopher Love, who has been charged with a prostitute's murder at Hotel Felix downtown.
“It should send a message to would-be criminals that we’ll be watching, and using every tool at our disposal to assist the police,” Claypool said in June.
“Additional security cameras will serve as a critical tool in investigations and strengthen the effects of this partnership,” Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in a statement.
Emanuel, Claypool and McCarthy will detail the plan on Monday.
