Statements on Iryna Zarurtska's death
Mayor Vi Lyles
To the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, As I reflect on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska my heart continues to go out to her family and our community as we try to make sense of this horrific and senseless loss.
Over the past several weeks as our community has worked to understand this, what we know is that this was a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates. Our police officers arrest people only to have them quickly released, which undermines our ability to protect our community and ensure safety. We need a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders who do not face consequences for their actions and those who cannot get treatment for their mental illness and are allowed to be on the streets. We have partnered before on legislation like North Carolina’s pre-trial integrity act, and we stand ready to partner again at the local, state, and federal level. I want to assure the community that we are taking action, and we will continue to take action. Last week CATS leadership presented to Charlotte City Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission about the ongoing work to address safety and security on our public transit system.
Over the past two years, we have doubled the number of CATS security personnel, tripled the safety and security budget from $5.8 million to nearly $18 million, and are shifting from a corporate security model towards a stronger transit policing model. Effective immediately, CATS security personnel will be re-deployed for a stronger presence on Blue Line platforms and to increase fare enforcement. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will also be increasing patrols at key areas across the transit system. These changes will allow CATS to fully execute the transit system policing plan, including the Blue Line. Over the next two to three weeks CATS will be rolling out new safety operations including bike units and urban terrain vehicles. CATS is actively recruiting and will be adding nearly 30 additional security personnel over the next few months. CATS will also be bringing an agreement for council approval to Council’s next business meeting on September 22 which will expand the authority of CATS to provide security around the transit system. Residents across our community and visitors to our region depend on public transit. We owe it to them to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure.
President Donald Trump
I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic. The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets?
Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP. The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and “Wannabe Senator” Roy Cooper. North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?
NC Gov. Josh Stein
I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained police officers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.
Sec. of Transportation Sean Duffy
I stand firm with President Trump’s message of zero tolerance for criminality, especially on our federal DOT funded public transportation. If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money. The USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska. And we will also be looking at other crime ridden cities across the country. I was moved by a Charlotte resident who said today: “I don’t feel safe on public transportation. But, I have to work.” No American should be put in that position and the Trump administration will do everything in its power to change that.
NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson
“This was an outrageously heinous and vicious act. Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way. We have told the district attorney, who is leading the prosecution, that our office will provide any and all support to deliver justice. We will remain steadfast until that justice is achieved.”
Charlotte City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera
Clearly, our current safety policies are not enough, and with the referendum this November, I’m more concerned because we cannot let fear drive people away.
Kyle Kirby, Mecklenburg Co. GOP
What the Democrats call restorative justice looks like Iryna Zarutska’s murder. Iryna Zarutska died because of the Democrat policies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, woke politicians that perpetuate cashless bail and refuse to prioritize public safety over appearances
Statements on Iryna Zarutska's death
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Transcript
Statements on Iryna Zarurtska's death
Mayor Vi Lyles
To the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, As I reflect on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska my heart continues to go out to her family and our community as we try to make sense of this horrific and senseless loss. Over the past several weeks as our community has worked to understand this, what we know is that this was a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates. Our police officers arrest people only to have them quickly released, which undermines our ability to protect our community and ensure safety. We need a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders who do not face consequences for their actions and those who cannot get treatment for their mental illness and are allowed to be on the streets. We have partnered before on legislation like North Carolina’s pre-trial integrity act, and we stand ready to partner again at the local, state, and federal level. I want to assure the community that we are taking action, and we will continue to take action. Last week CATS leadership presented to Charlotte City Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission about the ongoing work to address safety and security on our public transit system.
Over the past two years, we have doubled the number of CATS security personnel, tripled the safety and security budget from $5.8 million to nearly $18 million, and are shifting from a corporate security model towards a stronger transit policing model. Effective immediately, CATS security personnel will be re-deployed for a stronger presence on Blue Line platforms and to increase fare enforcement. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will also be increasing patrols at key areas across the transit system. These changes will allow CATS to fully execute the transit system policing plan, including the Blue Line. Over the next two to three weeks CATS will be rolling out new safety operations including bike units and urban terrain vehicles. CATS is actively recruiting and will be adding nearly 30 additional security personnel over the next few months. CATS will also be bringing an agreement for council approval to Council’s next business meeting on September 22 which will expand the authority of CATS to provide security around the transit system. Residents across our community and visitors to our region depend on public transit. We owe it to them to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure.
President Donald Trump
I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic. The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets?
Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP. The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and “Wannabe Senator” Roy Cooper. North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?
NC Gov. Josh Stein
I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained police officers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.
Sec. of Transportation Sean Duffy
I stand firm with President Trump’s message of zero tolerance for criminality, especially on our federal DOT funded public transportation. If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money. The USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska. And we will also be looking at other crime ridden cities across the country. I was moved by a Charlotte resident who said today: “I don’t feel safe on public transportation. But, I have to work.” No American should be put in that position and the Trump administration will do everything in its power to change that.
NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson
“This was an outrageously heinous and vicious act. Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way. We have told the district attorney, who is leading the prosecution, that our office will provide any and all support to deliver justice. We will remain steadfast until that justice is achieved.”
Charlotte City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera
Clearly, our current safety policies are not enough, and with the referendum this November, I’m more concerned because we cannot let fear drive people away.
Kyle Kirby, Mecklenburg Co. GOP
What the Democrats call restorative justice looks like Iryna Zarutska’s murder. Iryna Zarutska died because of the Democrat policies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, woke politicians that perpetuate cashless bail and refuse to prioritize public safety over appearances