CMPD reveals crime findings, addresses safety concerns with public safety report

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released its third quarter public safety report Wednesday morning.

Despite multiple high-profile incidents, including the killing of Iryna Zarutska on the light rail, the data revealed an overall drop in crime compared to last year.

CMPD says overall crime is down 8%, violent crime is down 20% and property crime is down 5%.

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A poll from Elon University suggests a large number of people in North Carolina still feel unsafe in public. The poll found 61% of people were concerned for their safety outside in crowds, 59% were worried about safety on public transit, and about half were worried about safety in public.

Several CMPD speakers blamed that uneasiness on multiple factors, such as social media and repeat offenders. So far this year, CMPD says 60% of people arrested for violent crimes had been charged with a crime in the past.

Speakers said CMPD has a good relationship with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s office, and it may take changes in the behavior of judges to make a big dent in crimes committed.

“It takes more than just CMPD,” Deputy Chief Jackie Bryley said. “We have to take a deeper dive.”

Some changes have already been made by the city and county with the goal of making people feel safer.

Many of those changes have come on public transit. Off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers are receiving pay to patrol trains and buses. A private security contractor has also been given more jurisdiction over the Rail Trail as well as bikes and UTVs they can use to better patrol those spaces.

The city has also introduced the Crown Initiative for Uptown. The plan’s goal is to increase public safety in Uptown by enforcing “quality of life” crimes, like aggressive panhandling, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication. It also involves reassigning officers to foot and bike patrols in areas around Trade and Tryon Streets and a new entertainment district patrol to keep an eye on bars and restaurants.

For a full breakdown of the data, read CMPD’s full release here.

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