CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hundreds of extra police officers gathered on street corners in Uptown Charlotte Friday night for crowd control.

After past problems, C.M.P.D. flooded the Center City area with officers to ward off any potential problems.

The officers were armed with pepper-spray pellet guns, and clubs. Some officers stood perched on towers above the streets to keep an eye on the large crowds.

Part of the department's strategy was to focus on people committing smaller crimes as a way of mitigating big problems.

"No fireworks, no concealed weapons, issues like that. We’re looking for juveniles after midnight. Those types of pre-cursor behaviors of violence is what we usually target," said Capt. Jeff Estes.

Police arrested 169 people by employing a similar strategy on July 4, 2007. There were no major violent outbreaks in Uptown.

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