Speed Street not designated 'extraordinary event'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 learned the city won’t be using a major safety tool for this week’s Speed Street event in uptown.

Channel 9 learned Speed Street, which starts Thursday, won’t be designated an extraordinary event.  For the past two years it has had that designation.

The news was disturbing to some NASCAR fans.

“What would happen if it was your kids and something happened to them because they don't want to step up security or check this and check that?” Jim Koontz said.

Since 2012, the ordinance has given CMPD more leeway to stop suspicious people and ban certain items from large events.

However, the ordinance is on hold as city leaders debate a better plan.

Some support eliminating the extraordinary event ordinance and instead amending the city's public assembly ordinance to prohibit a scaled-back list of items.

“The designation of an event itself is not what keeps people safe and often times people feel like they've been profiled in these events,” said City Council member Julie Eiselt.  “We're taking a step back. We're saying the real goal is to give police the tools they need to keep people safe.”

Channel 9 asked police what they would do to keep people at Speed Street safe, especially in light of Monday’s attack.

They wouldn’t answer the question.

Security expert Walter Kimble said it’s important for local law enforcement to pay close attention to last night’s attack.

“We need to ratchet up our counter measures and our security strategies to ensure we have greater levels in place to protect,” said Kimble.

CMPD said it plans to address Speed Street at a news conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

City leaders said they want to talk to the public about plans to replace the current extraordinary events ordinance.

Leaders plan to hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. June 6 at the Belmont Center on Parkwood Avenue to take feedback from the public. It will be held at the Belmont Center on Parkwood Avenue.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Islamic State group claims deadly Manchester concert bombing
• Former James Bond actor Roger Moore dead at 89
• VIDEO: Showers, flash flood watches continue through Tuesday
• Case of missing Uber driver turned over to homicide detectives
• North Meck teacher charged with sex acts with student to face judge
• WATCH: Investigators consider Huntersville Target crime scene after fire

Cox Media Group