CTA in Chicago - Safety?

Me and my wife are planning a North American trip next month (March). We're planning to arrive in Chicago close to midnight. Is it safe to take the train from O'Hare to downtown Chicago around that time of day?

Thanks in advance.

Don't do it - it's definitely worth it to pay for a cab and not have to worry. See the Airwise website for a warning on O'Hare to downtown Chicago train travel at night: http://www.airwise.com/airports/us/ORD/ORDbytrain2.html<BR>Chicago is a great city with so much to see and do - but if you see a warning like this, you need to pay attention. Have a great trip!

Well, I'd think it was safe at all times of the night. You might have problems in the neighbourhoods of some stations on the way, but not on the train, and not in downtown Chicago.

I think you would be safe awell. I know people who take it and have never had a problem.

I would be wary if it was just 1 person - but 2 - no problem.

#1 - What garbage,

My wife and i have done the Blue Line to the Loop at night alone without any incident. Many people who live in the city have no vehicles and that is how they get back from the airport.

And that website is way out of date. The fare between the airport and downtown is $2 each way. It has not been $1.50 in years.

I would take the blue line at midnight without any hesitation. It's perfectly safe and late night trains leaving O'Hare are surprisingly crowded. Besides arriving passengers, there are hundreds of airport employees commuting as well as evening shift workers at the dozens of airport hotels & restaurants and office cleaning people etc etc. It's almost like a mini rush hour.

I've taken the Blue Line at night without incident, and would do it again. However, I once did have a gang argument erupt within a few feet of me on the train (threats to "cap yo' ass," etc. were liberally exchanged among the participants), and I do know someone who was assaulted and robbed on it, so all is not hope and glory.

Here's a link to CTA crime stats, if you're so inclined: Chicagocrime.org link If you feel at all squeamish, then a cab ride isn't a horrible option. Just make sure that the cabbie knows where s/he is going, as many Chicago taxi drivers don't seem to know their way around. (Odd, given the grid and logical address numbering used there.)

And here's an article from the Chicago Sun Times:
________________________________

Crime hits fewer CTA riders in '06
Chicago Sun-Times, Aug 7, 2006 by Monifa Thomas

Despite a slight increase in ridership, fewer crimes were reported on CTA property in the first half of 2006 than during the same period last year, Chicago Police statistics show.

Property crimes, such as pickpocketing and more violent strong- arm robberies, continue to be the most common offenses committed on CTA trains, buses and stations.

In the first six months of 2006, there were 544 reported thefts, a decline of nearly 7 percent from the first half of 2005.

The number of robberies dropped even further this year. Compared with 96 in 2005, there were 63 robberies from January through June this year -- a 34 percent drop.

Statistics from the Chicago Police Department show a similar trend in reports of aggravated battery, while the number of criminal sexual assaults and burglaries remained the same.

The last murder on Chicago Transit Authority property was in 2004.

TARGETED ENFORCEMENT

The decline in crime is notable, considering more people are using the system. CTA buses and trains provided 202.6 million rides in the first five months of 2006, a 1.4 percent increase over the same period in 2005. And last year, the CTA posted its best ridership numbers since 1992.

Chicago Police say they've brought the crime rate down with more targeted enforcement by the department's mass transit unit. The CTA also has its own security guards who patrol the L stations.

"We kind of put the cops on the dots," said Chicago Police Lt. John Wittenberg, who runs the public transportation detail. "We try to identify emerging crime patterns, so we can move police to those areas."

Wittenberg said his unit concentrates on high-traffic stations in the Loop, such as Dearborn/Washington on the Blue Line and Washington

/State on the Red Line, where theft and other crimes are more common. The Addison and 35th Street L stations are also hot spots on game days because of their proximity to U.S. Cellular and Wrigley fields.

More crimes are typically reported on the L than on buses, which have been equipped with security cameras since 2003. This year, there have been 35 robberies on L platforms and trains, compared with 28 on buses.

CTA rail cars do not have security cameras, but more than two dozen stations are equipped with cameras. The CTA is also ordering new rail cars that will have cameras.

Englewood resident Antrone Moore said the CTA feels safer than it used to. Moore, 31, was almost robbed two years ago by two men who tried to steal his gold chain on a Red Line train. He eluded the men by hopping off at the Cermak-Chinatown station, where police caught them.

"You have to be street-smart, [but] it's not that bad," Moore said. "Since they put the cameras up, I think people think twice."

'FEELING OF SAFETY'

Margot Brandenburg, 27, who lives in Hyde Park, said the regular presence of police officers at CTA stations during peak hours "creates the feeling of safety," though she admits she's hesitant to use the L late at night, particularly when traveling outside of the Loop.

Chicago Police use a combination of uniformed and plainclothes officers to patrol stations, trains and buses. Some officers also volunteer to park their squad cars outside L stations on their days off, Wittenberg said.

Still, it's up to riders to protect themselves, he said.

"Have your fare ready. Keep track of your backpack and purses. Just be aware of your surroundings," he said.

There is an alternative. Continental Express, shuttle vans, 2 ride for $36. They will also pick you up and, I assume, take you to Lincoln Park and probably other neighborhoods. It's a worry-free option.

Generally, I think the el is safe, but the Blue Line does not have the best reputation (it runs through some tough neighborhoods), and it's always a little less safe at night. And travellers are easy targets; in fact thieves apparently target travellers specifically, as we all know. So if you have a wife and luggage and such, why not take the shuttle? It probably costs about half as much as a cab, and you won't have that to worry about between now and then. Better safe than sorry.

I would not do it at Midnight, even though nothing most likely will happen, you be in the wrong place at the wrong time, drunks, drugs and gangs may cross your path....doubt it, but, take the Airport Shuttle for $21 or Share a Taxi at the taxi stand for $19 PP.

A taxi is $40 with tip to center of Downtown.

The average passenger on the laborers from Ohare area, or Downtown, but, I am a guy, not a woman...

Wouldn't even blink an eye at recommending the blue line at all hours. Use common sense, as it is a city, but I'm a girl who has lived in Chicago for a decade now and taken the blue line a million times without incident. I don't know anyone who has ever had a problem on the subway in Chicago. Like the previous poster said, if there was ANY reason to be wary it would be if you were to get off the blue line at a dodgy spot, but offhand I can't really think of any blue line stops that are particularly horrible. There are better ones and worse ones, but no stop that I can even give a full throttle thumbs down to. Oh wait... just reread your post. You are going to downtown chicago -- you'll be fine. This is a no brainer. And it is so convenient. You don't even have to leave O'Hare to board and there are trains leaving all the time.

10#--Logan Square, Bucktown, and Wicker Park are not exactly happy go lucky places.

I won't try to defend Logan Square, other than I don't think its THAT bad, and as far as the EL (which is actually a subway there) it is perfectly safe.

I'm not sure if you know Chicago well or haven't been there in awhile #10, BUT WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Bucktown, and Wicker Park are not exactly happy go lucky places<hr></blockquote>

For January of 2007, the average home and condo price in Bucktown was $634,000.
During that same time, the average price in Wicker Park was $622,000.
The average price for a home in Lakeview was $538,000.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEB 16TH

STRING OF ROBBERIES TROUBLES WICKER PARK AND BUCKTOWN TOURISTS

-Armed with bad breath and unquenchable thirsts for Birkin Handbags, Burberry Scarves, and Lacoste clothing, a string of rich young white people have been robbing tourists coming off the Blue Line. While coming out of Spring restaurant, these thugs, usually hopped up on Silver Oak, Caymus, and a $700 dinner tab, rob unsuspecting tourists who think they are just waiting for the valet to return their A8.

"My wife and I walked by two YUPPIES who were talking about the Foie Gras ban and whether to get navigation on the Porsche Cayanne he had just ordered when, BAMMMM, they had gone through my wife's purse. They took the Starbucks gift cards, her Coach wallet, IPOD, but threw the purse in an alley with a note saying it was a poor Gucci knockoff and they were embarrassed for us. They actually left $1,400 and the address of an authorized dealer where we could pick up a real one in the morning."

"It was humiliating!"

Chicago Police recommend all tourists in the area during the "danger" times, Brunch, Happy Hour, and Spring's first seating, take extra precautions by wearing clothing and accessories that are obviously "SO LAST YEAR". Also, do not be lured in by strangers wanting to discuss why Heidi is still dating Spencer from The Hills.

I just don't think it's wholly gentrified yet. I have friends who live there--I live further east--and occassionally they have stories. For example, one of them, who lived in one of those luxury town houses, had drug dealers out in front of her house a year or two back. One of her neighbors--over some kind of dispute--was sent to the hospital by a few of them and there were gunshots through the windows of the nearby school. This sort of thing doesn't happen in Lincoln Park. I think it's safe to go to those places, particularly wicker--oh, is your restaurant in Wicker Park/Bucktown?

The police were finally able to clear up that situation; I think they finally used the Patriot Act somehow, but it was still just a year or two.

A year or two ago Cabrini existed

I'm probably a little behind the times. Alright, how about the name of the bar/restaurant? I don't care if it's Wicker Park, I won't blame you for that. I just want to know; maybe I'll go there, and I know you can't talk about it yourself or else that would be self-premotion, so I'm just asking.

>>I've taken the Blue Line at night without incident, and would do it again. However, I once did have a gang argument erupt within a few feet of me on the train (threats to "cap yo' ass," etc. were liberally exchanged among the participants), and I do know someone who was assaulted and robbed on it, so all is not hope and glory.<<

I ride METRA and the the various CTA trains through out the city day and night. The only time I have seen anything weird going on were two drunks going at it at ... the Crystal Lake METRA station way out in McHenry Co. I stepped back, called 911 and watched the four 5'6' police officers toss the idiots in the cruiser. I believe that the idiots disturbed their lunch break so they were pretty pissed off.

Personally, if you had to head down the the end of the Blue Line on the south side, it might be more of a concern as the trains are pretty empty but there will be others with you the whole way.

No my bar is in Lincoln Park by the DePaul campus.

I wish it was over by the Blue Line at North and Damen, but unfortunately it isn't.

No, I don't mention the name of the place because of several reasons.
-People get pretty fired up here sometimes and I get some pretty creepy IM's and responses
-I would no sooner give out its name than you would post your phone number or address
-I try to keep my worlds separate
-I'd call someone out for promoting their business on here

Late night in any city has its drawbacks....

A taxi is obviously safer, but the Blueline is a option, one I would not take, I lived in Chicago for 15 years, nest to Cabrini, and a I take the trian often, and in NYC as well, but after 10pm, I opt for the taxi...

Its fine. Yeah, you have some infinitesimal chance of there being a real issue. But have any of you scaredy cats bothered figuring out the road accident rate in the US lately? I'd be very, very surprised if driving ANYWHERE is safer than taking a subway.

I have 3 subway tickets on me at all times because the systems work so well, Washington DC, New Yorks and Chicago. Well, 4, but thats because I live near Philadelphia.

CTA is fine at midnight. Go into the car with the operator if it scares you.

Ed

Wow, I didn't expect this many replies and debates for my simple question. Thank you very much, you all have been very helpful. We may take the shuttle just to be on the safe side. But it's good to know that the majority here think the train is pretty safe, so we may take that if we're feeling a little adventurous.

Have a nice time, dregar.

I admire that, #19.

Oh, and sorry for implying that you might do that, #19. I must have been in a punky mood that day. I pissed off Willy too.

ticotim says "A taxi is obviously safer". Are you sure about that? Auto accident rates are higher than train accident rates aren't they? There seems to be a near consensus that being shot or whatever on the train is a very low probability, so maybe the chance of being hurt in a motor vehicle accident outweighs that?

I'm just asking because I really don't know, but the taxi being safer sure doesn't seem obvious to me.

#23
No worries

I'd take the Blue Line in. I wouldn't even think twice about it, and I would recommend it to others.

I've done it many, many, many times, and I took it all the way to Pilsen, where I lived, then walked from Damen (where the El is) to Blue Island where my apartment was.

I did this daily from Evanston, so I had to change trains (or even catch the bus!) downtown late at night, usually right around midnight-ish.

No problems if you
a) ride in the fromt car with the conductor
b) aren't 80 years old and carrying cameras around your necks
c) getting off the train at the stops along the eisenhower.

Well, I go to and from Ohare weekly for business flights, and take a taxi or car service, before 6am and after 11pm.

I take the train into the city when the taxi line is too long, and the traffic is rush hour.

I ride the El to Midway often, and to Downtown.

In the 15 years I have gone to the airport in a taxi, never a issue accident wise, on the train, I have witnessed fights, arrests, police searches, search dogs, and 4 times the train breakdown....so you tell me.,...the CTA sucks in many regards, as well all know...

#29
Well I'll see your $20, and raise you $50.

-I've had a cab run out of gas and missed my flight (ok, it was Havana, Cuba)
-I've been in a cab that blew a tire on 90 coming back from the airport. It was a disaster.
-I knew two girls who took a cab from the airport and after the cab driver flipped off the guy in front of him, he got out and shot the driver in the head at point blank range 3 times. He didn't even look at them. (Ok, that was in Bogota, Colombia)
-Riding in a train is 15 times safer than riding in an automobile. This is on average. The most common accident or cause of death is to be in a car or killed by a 19 year old male driver, who has been drinking and is speeding, within an hour after midnight. So if you are driving after midnight, your risk increases substantially. Fridays and Saturdays increase your risk even more.
-Riding in a bus is 91 times safer than an auto.

I just found out, looking into it for myself, that the last shuttle leaves the airport at 11:30pm. That leaves the train, a cab, or perhaps some hotel shuttle.

Great idea, as #28 said, to ride in the same car as the conductor.