NC Senate bill aimed at improving police response times in Meck. Co.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Police jurisdictions could be changing in Mecklenburg County if legislation being considered in Raleigh is approved. Senate Bill 5 would grant countywide jurisdiction to police departments in six cities.

[LINK: NC Senate Bill 5]

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police currently respond to emergencies in unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg County, even if a town like Mint Hill, which has a police department, is closer.

“To be told we’re in a dead zone doesn’t make any sense, due to the fact they’re right there, and Mint Hill police have apologized to me for this,” said Fran Spence, who lives in the Morris Farms neighborhood.

The community is unincorporated, so neighbors don’t get city services. But it’s covered by CMPD despite bordering Mint Hill, and residents don’t know why.

“Mint Hill is right less than 2 miles away. It would be easier for them to get here than CMPD,” resident Mike Williams said.

North Carolina Sen. Jeff Tarte is sponsoring a bill that would change law enforcement response in Mecklenburg County.

“If you call a police officer, the likelihood, in a local municipality, (is that) they could probably respond in less than five minutes, where oftentimes I think the average Charlotte response is 30 to 40 minutes,” Tarte told Channel 9 over the phone.

The bill could give the county the power to grant jurisdiction to police departments in Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville. All the cities have unincorporated land near them to which CMPD responds.

But there are hurdles. The Mint Hill police chief told Channel 9 that it would make sense for officers to cover areas close to them, but they would lose money, so that detail still has to be discussed.

Channel 9 also contacted the Mecklenburg County manager who was pushing for the bill, but has not yet heard back.

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