CMPD considers more foot patrols in Plaza Midwood, NoDa

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is considering whether to continue a program that will put more foot patrols in the Plaza Midwood and NoDa neighborhoods through the fall.

Several residents and shop owners in Plaza Midwood and NoDa agree this is something they want for the community.

The trial phase is over, so Channel 9 went back to the Charlotte neighborhoods where police tested walking patrols for the past three months.

Jamie Jollie, the general manager at Salud Beer Shop on North Davidson, said he noticed a difference almost immediately.

“It was good to know that they were out there if something was to happen,” Jollie said.

When the year started, division stats showed spikes in burglaries and robberies, with car thefts up 61 percent from last year.

“I didn't see DUI checkpoints,” Jollie said. “If they were set up all over the place, every Friday night, that probably wouldn't be good for business.”

Police are still searching for the shooter of Ketie Jones, the Plaza Midwood woman killed last fall while walking home after a night out with friends

“That night, I was working down here and I saw three bicycle police officers ride by,” Jollie said.

“I generally don't come here at night and I definitely don't walk around here at night by myself,” a Plaza Midwood resident said.

Police said the final report on their work is still in progress, but major crime for the division is down 5 percent.

Police said that within the next week or so they will have a better idea of any changes they will make moving forward.

Cox Media Group