CATS Special Report Reveals Armed Security Decreased 40%, “Inclusion” Requirement for Security Contracts

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has releaseda Preliminary Special Report on the security contracts for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). The report, conducted in response to the murder of Iryna Zarutska on one of the CATS's train cars, examined the security contract history of the CATS, the fluctuations in security personnel for the CATS, and how solicitation for security contracts was guided by a "Charlotte Business Inclusion" requirement.

OSA reviewed the CATS's security contracts from 2018 through 2025. Over that time, the CATS had contracted with three firms: G4S Secure Solutions/Allied Universal Security Services, Strategic Security Corp., and Professional Security Services (PSS). Documents provided by the City of Charlotte show there were major fluctuations in the number of armed security servicing the CATS.

• The 2018 contract with G4S Secure Solutions had the number of armed security personnel provided for the CATS between approximately 68 and 88. A review of the current contract with PSS, and confirmation from the City of Charlotte this month, has the armed security figure at 39. Accordingly, while the CATS's security contract value has increased from $5.9 million in 2022 to $18.4 million in 2025, the number of armed security has decreased by at least 40% over that time.

OSA also discovered that throughout Charlotte's solicitation for private security firms for the CATS, the Charlotte Business Inclusion (CBI) program had direct influence on contract requirements. The CBI program "seeks to enhance competition and participation of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) in city contracting," and appears to have political leanings.

• During a meeting of the CBI Advisory Committee in April, committee members were encouraged "to listen to the Republican argument" made in support of House Bill 171, "An Act Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in State and Local Government," so they could "be prepared to counter it."
• An article publishedby The Charlotte Post in February noted "CBI's role in growing vendor participation during a renewed push by some businesses, states and the Trump administration to roll back or end inclusion programs."

Specifically in 2022, as Charlotte was seeking security contractors for the CATS, the Request for Proposal for unarmed security was "targeted only" to businesses registered with CBI. The City Compliance Officer wrote in an email, "This solicitation is only open to CBI security firms, it is not open to other firms regardless if they have other certifications by other parties."

"The safety of the citizens of Charlotte needs to be first and foremost when security decisions are being made. Our report shows there has been a clear shift away from armed security in the CATS's private security contracts," said State Auditor Dave Boliek. "Further, limiting any part of a contract providing citizens with security to only firms that meet a DEI checkbox raises questions as to whether politics has taken priority over public safety. As we continue our investigation, we will be examining the decisions that went into designing, soliciting, and approving these security contracts."

While the current contract provides up to 219 security personnel, having only 39 armed security personnel does not permit the CATS to have an armed guard on all of its 48 train cars at once. The City of Charlotte's response is included in the Preliminary Special Report. A final report will be released upon completion of a full review by OSA.