>> We just mentioned that violent crime on CTA buses and L trains has gone down by 28% and on some lines, even more.

That may be in part because of a law enforcement effort introduced by the state's new northern Illinois Transit Authority created to replace the regional Transportation authority.

The bill that created the agency to oversee CTA, Metra and Pace also created a task force where area law enforcement agencies partner to put the brakes on transit crimes.

We recently rode along with Cook County Sheriff's deputies to see how they got on track.

>> Most folks riding the CTA will witness a scene like this.

A handful of sheriff's police officers going car to car while riding the L.

>> It actually get on floor.

offices as you may do that because of staff people that often It >> This group of officers is focusing on the green line writing from Harlem and Lake Station over to Damon and back.

they're led by Sergeant Frank Washington, who's heard feedback from passengers and CTA staff.

>> one Employee.

And tree was on those.

are.

Welch was doing.

>> They're working under a new task force led by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

It was created by the state's northern Illinois Transit Authority Act or media that went into effect this year since March.

The sheriff is placed teams of officers 50 per day working 12 hour shifts on the green and red lines.

We started going out into the public transportation.

>> Routes and trains buses to what the reality was met with the bus drivers.

The unions represent them.

The ones represent the train drivers.

>> The first big problem they found fare evasion.

We found that.

>> And numerous train stations.

No response 80 to 90% of the people were not pain.

So virtually everybody was going on for free.

There isn't any personnel that was there to stop.

And I'm happy to say once we put people out there, it's now easier.

All.

>> Next officers began keeping an eye out for other violations, smoking drinking on the train, transferring between moving cars.

The idea is that sweating, the smaller details leads to a safer ride.

>> We found 20 weapons on people arrested 250 people for a range of offenses.

God we execute.

I think about 50, 60 warrants for people.

We found 10 missing people.

People who are in the system is missing persons mostly to we're able to reunite with either family or whatever the structure was.

>> We found 10 people not registered offenders, wearable taken custody.

>> The day our cameras road along within an hour, officer stopped a man for smoking and learned he had an arrest warrant.

The sheriff's office says they've lowered fare evasion alone.

Right?

85 1% on the red line.

The office also says CTA zone stats show a 77% reduction in violent crime may of this year compared to last year and a 50% reduction in overall crime may over May as well.

They're also the train passengers who need a little extra help for that.

People like Elizabeth kept you and her team are paired with officers to provide services for mental health.

>> Substance use disorder or homelessness.

Sometimes it's the only place that we might be able So, you have a lot of individuals that houses that around and don't have a are utilizing the trainings for want wear or US-based our shelters.

>> Are both the officers and the treatment and response team members.

>> Added to their training so they could conduct their jobs while in transit.

Now after 20 years and mental help.

This is where feels she's finally seeing movement.

>> Of times I've been part of the men also system and work.

that's the person I feel like I'm actually helping people.

I'm not just a cog in the system.

I'm making a and feels >> The man who you saw who was arrested during a ride-along was facing warrants for failing to appear in court on charges of retail theft and possession of a controlled substance.

The sheriff, meanwhile, will make recommendations to the need to board about how the task force