Metra police assumed operational control of the Oak Park commuter train station at 1115 North Blvd. as of April 1, in response to trespassing within the station by unhoused individuals.
According to a Metra Police Department spokesperson, as many as 20 unhoused people at one time were in the facility, which generated complaints from riders about trespassing, litter, smoking and drug use.
Metra police are now regularly patrolling the station, which is also the location of the CTA’s Green Line Harlem/Lake stop.
“Metra previously had an agreement with Oak Park to maintain and secure the facility,” the spokesperson said. “That agreement had expired but continued while a new one was being discussed.
“In response to concerns from our riders about issues inside the station, primarily trespassing, Metra decided it would take over maintenance and security effective April 1. Starting on that day, to address those issues, our police launched a high-visibility operational plan aimed at information sharing, positive engagement with commuters, and fostering a safer, more welcoming environment for all.”
As far as where the unhoused were moved, the spokesperson said, “We offered to connect persons who were homeless with social services, but we did not track where they may have gone.”
The new action was criticized by Housing Forward, an agency that helps the unhoused and which was not notified in advance of the changes.
The agency’s spokesperson noted that those displaced now “face significant new challenges. People may be ticketed or arrested for trespassing, burdened with fines they cannot pay, or end up in hospitals or the court system,” the spokesperson said. “This criminalization approach to homelessness is ultimately more costly to taxpayers.”
The spokesperson added: “It’s also a less-humane approach than addressing people’s basic needs from the outset. Existing medical and behavioral health issues are likely to be exacerbated, and any trust our outreach staff has spent weeks or months building can be quickly undone if we lose contact with people.”
In mid-2023, a group of unhoused people set up a camp on North Boulevard under the ramp of the Oak Park Metra station.
According to Dan Yopchick, the village’s chief communications officer, when that camp was broken up, Housing Forward helped those people secure housing.
The Housing Forward spokesperson said Friday, “There is no way to know exactly where these individuals have gone, and most don’t have phones, which makes it nearly impossible to reach them. Many will be forced into other public spaces, including on public transit, or into the neighborhood. Some may be temporarily staying with friends or family. Prior to April 1, more than 25 people were consistently using the Oak Park Metra station to stay sheltered. Since then, we have only been able to reconnect with two of them.”
According to a statement on the village website, Oak Park police vacated its substation within the facility March 31, as requested by Metra, and moved that space to the Holley Court Parking Garage at 1125 Ontario St.
In addition to operational control, the statement said, Metra is implementing facility upgrades like increased lighting and security cameras and improved signage. The village will keep maintaining the public right-of-way outside the station.
“The village of Oak Park remains committed to working closely with Metra during this transition period to ensure that residents and commuters are informed, safe, and well-served,” the statement said. “A collaborative approach will be maintained to facilitate a smooth handover and to address any public inquiries regarding the changes.”
Since Metra police assumed operational control of the station, “we have received consistent, overwhelmingly positive feedback, particularly regarding our openness to listen to and address Metra rider concerns,” the spokesperson said.
There are several ways commuters can contact Metra regarding any issues at the Oak Park station, including its emergency number, (312) 322-2800. Riders can also download the free Metra COPS app to discreetly report safety and security concerns. For details go to metra.com/metra-police
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, Housing Forward’s Support Center is open Monday through Friday at 1851 S. 9th Avenue in Maywood. For additional resources and ways to get help, visit housingforward.org/find-help