(The Center Square) – Public safety aspects, and the safety and security budgets of the Charlotte Area Transit System are under review by the state auditor in North Carolina.
First-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek said Tuesday “recent lawlessness and violence” prompted his office to act. The Aug. 22 murder of Iryna Zarutska fueled the concerns and has drawn national attention.
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Boliek said notifications have already been sent to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, leadership of the Metropolitan Transit Commission that oversees CATS, and the leadership of CATS.
Zarutska, 22, was killed as she sat in a passenger seat of the Lynx Blue Line light-rail train about 10 p.m. near the East/West station of Camden Road.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was arrested for the 15th time since 2011. The previous charges include assault, armed robbery and felony larceny. He served time for the robbery.
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Boliek said a 64-year-old veteran was attacked on a CATS bus in March, becoming paralyzed from the neck down as a result of his injuries. In August, a 57-year-old veteran was hospitalized after being attacked by multiple people on a CATS bus.
“One of the most basic duties a government owes the people is public safety,” Boliek said. “The recent lawlessness and violence that have taken place on Charlotte’s public transportation raise serious questions about the security measures in place. We will investigate CATS and examine its public safety contracts and operations.”