State Auditor Dave Boliek announced three weeks ago that his team would be investigating the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) following reports of several attacks on public transportation operated by CATS, with the murder of Iryna Zarutska gaining national attention.
State Auditor Boliek’s team released their preliminary findings this week, revealing scandalous management practices that have left the people of Mecklenburg County in increased danger.
From 2022 to 2025 CATS increased their spending on private security every year, rising from $5.9 million to $18.4 million. Despite that increase in spending, the number of armed security has decreased by 40% in that time, dropping from 68 armed personnel to just 39. Critically, there are 48 train cars operated by CATS, meaning that the 39 armed personnel would not be able to staff every train car at once.
The hiring of the private security firm by CATS also prioritized DEI over the best option to keep CATS users safe. The City of Charlotte issued an RFP for new security contractors in 2022 registered through Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) program which hires based on DEI. Boliek’s report also highlighted a meeting of the CBI Advisory Committee on April 9th, 2025 where the committee discussed House Bill 171, “An Act Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in State and Local Government.” Rather than discussing how to comply with the proposed legislation, committee members were encouraged to “listen to the Republican argument” so they could “be prepared to counter it.”
Conservative leadership in the House has made it clear that merit should be prioritized, instead of politically correct quotas. Majority Leader Rep. Brenden Jones after filing House Bill 171 shared on X, “Taxpayer dollars should fund merit, not woke agendas and identity politics. This bill upholds equal opportunity and ensures employment and contracts are based on qualifications, not quotas.”
Between loose bail requirements, reduction in armed security, and prioritizing DEI over merit, the progressive policies implemented in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have eroded public safety, in stark contrast to the sensible proposals in Iryna’s Law by conservative leaders.
The legislature strengthened State Auditor Boliek’s independence, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in North Carolina’s state and local governments. The initial findings in the audit of CATS suggest State Auditor Boliek’s team should conduct thorough reviews of other local government projects across the state.
