CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A growing problem with demonstrations outside a Charlotte abortion clinic is reaching a boiling point.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police told Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tolison that officers have to walk a fine line between enforcement and respecting rights.
Several groups on both sides of abortion clash daily at a women's clinic on Latrobe Drive.
Police said it’s been getting worse, but they won't let it get out of control.
"Stand up and tell your girlfriend or your wife you support her," one protester shouted.
"Your body, your choice. Your body, your choice," another protester shouted.
It's a typical day outside Preferred Women's Health of Charlotte.
Nearly 4,000 people gathered there last month to pray for the clinic to stop performing abortions.
"We know it can be just a tinder box of activity," CMPD deputy Chief Jeff Estes said.
Estes said his officers have been at the clinic and on Latrobe Drive almost every weekend for complaints about parking, noise and worse.
"When tensions rise, that's when it becomes more of an issue and we have to devote resources to that," Estes said.
There are several reports of problems at the clinic in the last year.
One person was arrested for making threats in April.
Police are still investigating two assaults, one in November and one last week.
There have also been more minor complaints from a drone being flown over the women's clinic to profanity.
"People are passionate about life on our side. We want life to be protected," Cities for Life volunteer Daniel Parks said.
Each group blames the other for prompting police response.
Jasmine Sherman with Pro-Choice Charlotte approached the City Council to ask police to do more.
"Our goal is to try and keep people as safe as possible and we need law enforcement to step up and do that," Sherman said.
Police said they’re trying.
"You may see some different stances from us moving forward based on what happens at the clinic and based on the behavior that we see at the time," Estes said.