UPTOWN — Amid another stabbing on the Blue Line last week, CATS CEO Brent Cagle held a press conference Tuesday to gently remind riders not to stab each other.
“Violence is never the answer,” Cagle said, emphasizing that CATS remains committed to safety, civility, and best practices. “At this time, we’re recommending people stop stabbing each other.”
The comments come as public confidence in transit continues to erode. According to recent polling, two out of three Charlotte residents say they feel less safe than they did this time last year, following multiple high-profile stabbings on the light-rail system.
CATS officials stressed that the agency has not been idle. In recent years, CATS has tripled its marketing budget, increasing spending from $5.8 million in 2023 to $18.4 million, while announcing plans for a new fare-enforcement team composed largely of homelesss individuals, a move officials described as “innovative,” “community-based,” and “cheaper than security.”
Cagle also dismissed calls for additional security personnel on trains.
“Security is not a best practice,” he said. “At this time, we believe safety comes from mutual respect, shared values, and riders choosing peace.”
Despite the incidents, Cagle reiterated that the system remains safe.
“It’s still perfectly safe to ride,” he said, though he “personally would not use that shit.”
