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Community group aims to curb crime near Charlotte Transit Center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local community group called TEAM is working to curb crime in and around the Charlotte Transit Center in uptown.

Police said G4S police Officer Jeff Outen was knocked unconscious at the transit center Friday evening.

Reginald Alexander was arrested after authorities said he assaulted Outen.

Channel 9 spoke with members of the group Saturday. They said TEAM is made up of volunteers from several agencies, including the Charlotte Area Transit System, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, G4S and several other community partners.

“Making sure things like this don't happen,” TEAM member Camille Stephens said.

Volunteers said Alexander was trespassing when Outen tried to arrest him

“We know him, personally, and he's one of the best officers,” TEAM member Garcia Nelson said. “One of the friendliest officers. And he is an officer, not just G4S.”

Outen is among the volunteers who work with the group.

Outen was severely beaten Friday night outside the Charlotte Transit Center after officials said he told Alexander to leave the area because he was loitering.

Alexander left momentarily but returned to attack the officer.

Outen was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but is expected to be OK.

(Jefferey Outen)

Last year, Channel 9 investigated instances of crime around the transit center, and police said loitering was one of the issues they dealt with all the time.

[RELATED: 9 Investigates rise in crime at uptown Transit Center]

[RELATED: Safety becomes issue at Charlotte transit center as complaints mount]

Volunteers with TEAM said they started working near the transit center about two years ago, mostly with young adults who hang out in the area. They said they need help to achieve their goal of curbing crime.

“That's what's going to make the difference. We've got to have people committed to do something about the problems that we're seeing at the transit and all over Charlotte,” Stephens said.

Officials estimate about 20,000 bus riders go through the transit area every day, and CMPD has talked about expanding its transit division to help with security.

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