Charlotte leaders repeal city's extraordinary-events ordinance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The extraordinary events ordinance in Charlotte has been repealed.

City leaders unanimously voted to get rid of the ordinance Monday night. The ordinance was a tool that gave police more power during large events.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials said safety at major events will not be jeopardized.

Police Chief Kerr Putney is on board with the changes and has been involved in every step of the planning process.

Charlotte city leaders are expected to repeal the ordinance Monday and, in return, amend two different ordinances that deal with protests and large events.

The changes mean the city manager will no longer have to give events a special declaration in order for CMPD to have more resources.

Certain items will now be allowed at major events and protests, like gas masks and body armor. Many protesters think the extraordinary-event ordinance isn't necessary.

Putney said the repeal won't make it more difficult for police to fight crime.

“We don't need a designation,” Putney said. “We don't need an ordinance to do that. We are going to do it because it is the right thing to do to keep people safe.”

The first extraordinary event was the Democratic National Convention in 2012. In total, there were 41 events with this declaration.

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