CMPD outlines plan to tackle violent crime this summer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Six weeks into an initiative to cut violent crime, police in Charlotte say they’re seeing results.

“This week we've had four robberies and three of those have been cleared by arrest,” Capt. Rob Dance told Eyewitness News.

Dance oversees the Police Department’s North Tryon Division, which includes Sugar Creek Road near Interstate 85, one of the areas targeted by officers in the initiative.

“We've seen homes and cars of innocent people shot into. We've seen people asleep in their beds with windows shot out,” said Lt. Brian Sanders, who had led the initiative that has focused on violent crime hot spots around the city.

In just six weeks, Sanders said they have made 116 arrests, served five search warrants and seized 13 guns, and he said violent crime in those areas is down 15 percent.

But to get to keep the momentum going Sanders said they will need more involvement from people in the community.

“We need you to speak up. If you hear something or see something, please say something,” he said.

Police announced that they are raising the reward amounts for some of their Crimestoppers calls in hopes of generating more tips from the community.

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