Charlotte Expands Private Police Authority Around Transit Hubs After Fatal Stabbing

Charlotte City Council has unanimously approved expanding the jurisdiction of Professional Police Services (PPS), the private security firm patrolling the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), allowing them to enforce laws, make arrests, and issue citations beyond city-owned transit property to adjacent sidewalks, rail trails, and areas surrounding transit centers. This move follows heightened scrutiny of transit safety after the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in August 2025. The expanded authority aims to close security gaps in areas where many incidents occur, enhancing rider safety without replacing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department but complementing their efforts. The contract with PPS, effective through July 2026 with optional extensions, will govern this mutual aid agreement, which comes at no additional cost to the city. Local residents have expressed support for the increased presence and authority of PPS to deter unsafe behavior and improve the transit environment. The initiative is part of broader safety measures introduced by city officials, including redeploying officers, increasing fare enforcement, and bolstering police patrols at key transit hubs.