Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?

Chicago Transit Authority Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims for the 12 months ending in September. The most dangerous CTA stop had nearly 7 crimes per 100,000 riders compared to 1.3 systemwide.

Chicago Transit Authority Green Line riders were the most likely to be the victim of a crime while waiting at a station during the 12 months through September, according to Chicago Police Department data.

And the worst stop on the line, or anywhere on the CTA, was at 63rd and Ashland in the West Englewood neighborhood. Nearly 7 of every 100,000 rides resulted in a crime.

About 1.9 out of every 100,000 rides starting at a CTA Green Line station or platform ended in a crime between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024.

Red Line riders were the second-most likely to be a victim of a crime at a CTA station, with nearly 1.7 out of every 100,000 rides ending in a crime.

Citywide, about 1.3 out of every 100,000 rides starting at a CTA station or platform ended in a crime. The most common crime was battery. No. 2 was deceptive practices, such as bait-and-switch schemes or counterfeiting.

Reports of battery increased the most at CTA stations in terms of raw numbers compared to the same 12-month in the previous year.

Meanwhile, cases involving narcotics saw the largest percent increase during that time. The CPD identified 121 instances of individuals possessing or selling narcotics at stations, 47 more than the prior 12-month period.

Overall, the number of crimes being committed at CTA stations hit their highest level since the onset of the pandemic, with residents reporting 1,356 crimes through September.

About 45% of all crimes reported at CTA stations resulted in an arrest, the second-highest rate in the past decade following the period between October 2022 and September 2023.

While the annual number of CTA train rides has nearly doubled from a two-decade low of 55.8 million during the pandemic to 106.7 million through September, it remains nearly 60% below pre-pandemic levels.

The city can reduce serious crimes on public transportation and encourage more riders to return to the CTA by reducing low-level crime such as disorderly conduct and fare evasion and increasing the police presence at stations.

Other cities have already begun taking this approach. Washington, D.C., attributed a 19% decrease in crime on public transit to fare evasion enforcement and an increased police presence.

Research from the Manhattan Institute also shows police deter, prevent or uncover more serious crimes through routine arrests, citations and stops for nonviolent offenses such as fare evasion.

When Chicagoans feel safer, CTA ridership can move closer to its pre-pandemic levels. With more Chicagoans riding public transportation, the return of the pre-pandemic “safety in numbers” will make Chicago even safer for everyone.