DeKALB– In a newly approved initiative, DeKalb police officers will begin to patrol on Huskie buses.

This year, the Federal Transit Administration gave the city a $50,000 grant to cover the cost of additional bus-patrol shifts for DeKalb police officers.

The shifts are voluntary and are considered overtime for participating officers.

“Officers have to volunteer, it is an overtime detail form. The whole purpose, from a law enforcement standpoint, is high visibility,” DeKalb Chief of Police David Byrd said.

The grant was given to the city in light of federal government concerns surrounding safety on public transit. In September of 2024, the Biden-Harris administration launched an initiative to increase protection for transit workers.

From 2013 to 2021, there was a 120% increase in documented assaults against transit workers, according to the National Transit Database.

The city of DeKalb noted no increase in crime on transit routes, but instead has cited proactive motivation.

“In this case, it is meant to serve as a deterrent. We want to keep people safe, and hopefully they feel safe,” Byrd said.

DeKalb Transit Manager Mike Neunkirchen said benefits of the initiative will go beyond crime deterrence.

“These transit patrols will also allow our officers an excellent opportunity to engage with the community as part of this duty,” Mike Neuenkirchen, transit manager for DeKalb said.

In light of concerns from DeKalb residents, Byrd said “There should be no confusion or anxiety regarding law enforcement being on the buses. The DeKalb Police Department is a professional law enforcement agency, we stand on constitutional foundations. I hold myself accountable to that, and I also hold the rank and file accountable.”

Byrd said that the potential increase of law enforcement presence serves as an opportunity to overcome anxieties regarding police interaction, as well as a way to deter crime in the community.

“We are here to serve and protect, it is the truth. Public safety is our number one priority,” Byrd said.

The DeKalb Public Transit Division manages the cities of DeKalb,Sycamore, Cortland and Northern Illinois University’s transit funding. Last year, these programs serviced 1,001,563 passenger trips according to the DPTD.

Police patrol on buses has already begun and is set to last the duration of the grant funds or until new protocol is introduced.