CMPD says crime down, arrests up in uptown. But city leaders uneasy about perceptions
Crime is down and arrests are up in uptown Charlotte, law enforcement says. But some leaders remain concerned about safety in the central business district and other parts of the city.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police reported the data to the City Council on Monday as part of a series of presentations on public safety. Crime, especially in uptown, has been a focus for the council in 2024 after the year began with a New Year’s Eve shooting that left five people injured in Romare Bearden Park.
The council previously weighed forming a special committee to address safety and heard recommendations from city staff on millions in potential spending to combat rising juvenile crime. City Council members also voted 7-3 in February to recriminalize multiple city ordinances after uptown residents expressed concerns about “quality of life” issues.
On Monday, CMPD Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Bryley told the council violent crime is down 5% so far in 2024 in uptown and property crime down 7%. Arrests are up 5% during the same time period, and contact with police up 3%, according to the presentation. The 5% drop in violent crime is slightly larger than the 3% drop reported in CMPD’s Central Division in 2023.
CMPD didn’t provide more detailed data Monday about uptown crime, but the city is broadly seeing violent crime improvements after trends stayed flat in 2023 and improved in 2021 and 2022. Property crime rose sharply across the city last year from 2022. Headed into the fourth quarter, citywide property crime was down only slightly from the higher 2023 numbers.
The department will release its more detailed annual crime report for 2024 in January.
Bryley attributed the progress to multiple efforts, including initiatives to increase patrols in high-traffic areas and a diversion program for young people.
Multiple council members lauded CMPD for its work but said more needs to be done to address a perception that uptown is unsafe. They expressed concern the sentiment is a drag on the local economy.
Council member Malcolm Graham, whose District 2 includes parts of uptown, referenced the weekend death of a man near the Spectrum Center. Graham said he was in the area over the weekend for sporting events and described it as “discomforting” to see people loitering and smell marijuana while walking to the arena.
“If you don’t feel safe, you’re not safe,” he said.
Bryley said CMPD plans to send out a community survey in 2025 to help better understand public perceptions and sentiments about crime and safety.
District 3 Council member Tiawana Brown emphasized her desire for an approach to crime reduction that includes community groups and extends beyond uptown into other parts of Charlotte.
“West Boulevard can be an attraction too, if we care,” she said.
Monday’s presentation followed an earlier update on long-term crime statistics from CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings at a November council meeting. Upcoming meetings will include further updates on other aspects of public safety, including safety on public transit and treating violence as a public health issue.
