Residents urge DeKalb to spend FTA transit security funds on lighting and shelters; transit manager defends police ride‑alongs and bus purchase

Public comment at the Jan. 27 DeKalb City Council meeting focused on a planned use of up to $50,000 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5307 funds for transit security, with several residents urging the city to invest in lighting, shelters and other station amenities instead of paying officers to ride buses.

“I genuinely don't think having police patrols on the buses will ingratiate the police to the community. I think it will scare the community,” said Alicia Iverson, who delivered a packet of materials to council members and recommended lighting stops, cameras, emergency telephones or transit ambassadors as alternatives to police overtime.

Other public commenters expressed similar concerns. Chris David Falco, who identified himself as a lifelong county resident, told the council that DeKalb Transit “does not presently see significant reports of crime or disturbances on transit routes,” and argued the federal funds would be better used to expand service or improve stop infrastructure. Student and transit rider Cody Cahill described repeated waits at unlit stops and asked the council to prioritize benches, shelter lighting and emergency phones for riders who rely on transit every day.

Transit manager Mike Neukirchen responded during the agenda item discussion, saying the FTA 5307 guidance asks recipients to address safety and security as part of the program and that there are several eligible options. He said the proposed plan to fund police ride‑alongs was intended as a limited familiarization pilot, not a permanent omnipresent police presence: “It's really to get the officers to some familiarization with how the system works because they do respond to issues.” Neukirchen added the FTA issued a directive in September 2024 urging proactive steps to address assaults on transit workers, which informed staff thinking.

Neukirchen told the council the $50,000 figure could translate to roughly 500 officer hours over a year if the council directs funds to voluntary overtime; he also said the FTA funds are not strictly limited to police as the security measure and can be used for cameras, lighting or other eligible projects.

Council members and staff discussed shelter and lighting costs. Neukirchen said a single new enclosed shelter can cost about $50,000–$60,000 and that capital funding sources and federal review processes (including NEPA) govern shelter installation. He said staff has allocated some money for shelters in the budget and that major shelter upgrades will require separate capital grants and environmental review.

The public exchange preceded staff’s presentation and council vote on a separate resolution authorizing purchase of fixed‑route buses under a Gillig master contract (Resolution 2025‑012). Staff described a recommended mix of five diesel and one hybrid heavy‑duty bus after a 10‑year fuel‑cost and capital analysis; the council approved the bus procurement item during the meeting.

Why it matters: transit riders, including students and people with disabilities, told the council they value lighting, seating and emergency access at stops and are wary that visible police presence on buses could make some riders feel unsafe. Staff said the city must follow FTA guidance on eligible security expenditures and that both capital amenities and limited police familiarization have been pursued.

What’s next: staff said it will continue to pursue capital shelter funding, complete required federal procurement and environmental reviews for bus purchases and explore options—such as shelter benches, lighting and outreach to local service organizations—to improve station safety and rider comfort.