Charlotte light rail riders report harassment. Security patrols stepped up.
Amid rider reports of harassment on the light rail, the Charlotte Area Transit system said it has increased security patrols across its network.
Sonja Langford, a local college student, tweeted about an instance of harassment she faced earlier this month.
“So so tired of being harassed by men on the light rail. Literally sitting trapped with my bike and a time-sensitive destination and they’re making kissing noises at me and getting in my face,” Langford posted. “You have to make the decision to say nothing or to speak up. The later could be fatal.”
When she tweeted about what happened, others commented about the problem. CATS says there aren’t widespread reports of the harassment but told The Charlotte Observer they have increased Allied Security patrols.
Another woman replied and said she has also “had a couple scary situations on the light rail.”
Three men responded to her thread saying they and their wives also experienced harassment. Two of the men responded saying their wives refused to ride the light rail on weekends, or without them.
CATS current customer service complaint data does not reflect any complaints pertaining to incidents like those who responded to the tweet are describing, according to the agency.
Langford said it isn’t the first time she’s experienced harassment on CATS transportation, she uses public transportation nearly every day to commute to and from work in uptown, home, and school at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
While approximately 90% of her rides are unremarkable, the ones that have an instance of harassment leave their mark.
“The few that I have can make me feel really unsafe or vulnerable and just leave me not sure what decision I should make?” Langford said.
The decisions she, and others who experience harassment on Charlotte’s public transport are faced with, are complex.
“Should I speak up? Should I be quiet? Should I get off the train and risk them following me?” Langford says.
Some encounters are worse than others. One of the worst involved a stranger rubbing her shoulders and pretending to know her.
Since she first began riding public transportation, Langford has learned a few tricks. She didn’t used to wear headphones while riding, now she does and tries to look busy so no one will speak with her.
The solution isn’t cut and dry for Langford. She says public transportation is valuable and some people don’t have an option not to take it. But the harassment does deter some from riding.
Some in her comments said stricter fare checks might help.
“I don’t believe it’s a policing issue,” Langford said. “I’ve been told they shouldn’t ride the train, I don’t think that’s the answer ... I don’t know that I have an answer for this. I think that it’s probably a bigger society issue that people feel like they can get away with disrespecting, and preying upon people like that.”
CATS response
A CATS spokesperson told the Observer in an email that it recently increased patrols across its transit network with private security company Allied Universal.
And, they said they “continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our riders.”
“In addition, we urge everyone to download the CATS SeeSay app,” the CATS spokesperson said. “It is a quick and discreet method for reporting safety and security concerns directly to CATS. The app can send photos, videos, text descriptions and locations of suspicious activities. Of course in the case of immediate danger or emergency, riders should call 911.”
“This type of incident is against our Riders Rules of Conduct, and any unwanted physical touching is assault and is not tolerated at all,” CATS said. “CATS investigates these incidents thoroughly.”
This story was originally published November 16, 2022 at 6:15 AM.
