CHARLOTTE — Iryna Zarutska’s death will be highlighted in a major way tomorrow. There will be a candlelight vigil at East/West Boulevard at 8 p.m.
Thousands of passengers took the light rail Sunday to get to the Panthers game.
“I think I felt safe today compared to the usual day,” said Kelsey Sheehan, a passenger.
Like many others, Kelsey and her father Patrick were thinking about public transportation safety. They have noticed a difference since Iryna’s murder.
“I’ve seen increased security along the rail,” Kelsey said. “I walk the rail trail a lot and I’ve seen an increased police presence.”
On Monday city council will take up a measure that will add to that by allowing private security to cover more territory near transit hubs, including additional sidewalk space.
“Crime is not confined just to a platform deck or a CATS light rail or clearly a bus station,” said city councilmember Edwin Peacock. “The criminals know that.”
Peacock said it’s time to take steps to better protect the light rail.
“It’s critical that we have the ability all across the area around CATS to address the real problem,” Peacock said. “This is not just things on the train, it’s in around the train.”
“We have to get out to speak up for a safer Charlotte,” said Bart Noonan, who leads the West Boulevard Ministry. His group is behind Monday’s vigil.
“I believe is going to be the start of a movement here,” said Noonan. “The unfortunate murder of Iryna Zarutska affected a lot of people, even though it’s been a few weeks past that date. We can’t sit by and be okay.”
The council meeting is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and the vigil will start at 8 p.m. Next month a march is being planned. The details are still being worked out.
WATCH: FTA demands safety plan from CATS within 2 weeks
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
