Chicago police officially began screening the bags of CTA passengers for explosives Monday, a new security initiative launched with a federal counterterrorism grant.
The random searches were conducted at one of the more than 140 CTA rail stations, though authorities declined to identify the station at which they screened passengers Monday. No arrests were made and no one refused to be screened, something a passenger can do but will be refused access to the train.
"There were no objections from customers who were asked to submit to the baggage screening and many people expressed appreciation for CPD's presence," Chicago Police spokesman Marty Maloney said Monday evening in an emailed response to RedEye.
He said the screenings ran "smoothly and efficiently."
Last month, police announced the rush-hour screenings and said most of them would take place at downtown stations.
The screenings will occur daily for now.
Police randomly will select a rail station and set up a screening table, manned by a team of four to five officers, outside the rail turnstiles during rush hour. They will approach randomly selected riders to have their bags tested.
At that point, a cloth is rubbed on the bag and then inserted into an explosives-testing machine. The machine will register a positive or negative result.
While officials have declined to disclose the pricetag for the CTA security initiative, it is being fully funded with part of a $3.5 million federal anti-terrorism grant.
Last week, Mayor Emanuel defended the screenings, saying "the world is different" and that "we need to be constantly updating our safety and security."
Tribune contributed.