Community Safety in Charlotte: An Editorial Response
The editorial in yesterday's Charlotte Observer represents another lost opportunity for the public to be responsibly informed about the impact of crime in our community and the work that is always being done to improve our sense of safety. It was void of context, accurate facts or an acknowledgement of any of the examples of work in the hot spots that have recently appeared in its own newspaper. Moreover, the editorial's singular focus on police as the answer belies the essential roles everyone - including the media - has in addressing crime and safety issues.
Crime has been and will continue to be a challenge for Charlotte-Mecklenburg as it is for every major city, and no group is more committed to fighting crime than the men and women who work for the CMPD. By way of context, it is appropriate to point out that
- Both violent and property crime have dropped each month since the peak in October and November of 2007
- Violent crime was down by 7.2% in 2007, the lowest rate since 1980
- While property crimes have inched up in recent years, driven largely by auto thefts and, more recently, car break-ins, they are still lower than they were at any time in the previous decade
To be sure, statistics mean little to one who has had their house burglarized or had property stolen from a car. We understand that a reduction in the violent crime rate is little comfort to the person robbed at gunpoint on the street or in a store or to someone whose family member is injured. We know last year's reduction in the number of homicides provides no explanation for the recent, horrific murders that have occurred.
But the numbers are important for understanding the impact of crime, identifying trends, targeting resources, developing policy and gauging the results of enforcement, prevention and intervention efforts. And the stories behind the numbers are important for understanding that most violent crime is not random and many property crimes can be prevented.
The CMPD has been a leader in using analytical methods to identify "hot spots" in which there are concentrations of crime and calls for service. Contrary to what the Observer suggests, working in those areas has been a key part of our policing strategy for many years. They are hot spots because the problems extend well beyond what law enforcement is able to do on its own.
Fortunately, the residents we work with, while understandably concerned and fearful, share our commitment to fighting crime and developing viable solutions to the range of issues that contribute to crime and disorder problems. It is disappointing that the Observer appears not to give the public enough credit for understanding what is going on. From unsupervised juveniles, drug abuse and insufficient treatment for the mentally ill to housing code violations, overcrowded jails and an overburdened court system, the problems that underlie issues of crime require the full range of local, state and federal resources to address them effectively.
While it is common for people to have a misunderstanding about a crime or problem in the neighborhood, we work with them, provide information and help calm the fear. In fact, this kind of work is taking place in neighborhoods in every patrol division throughout the city. Recently, officers have been working diligently with residents in Dilworth, Plaza/Midwood, Farm Pond, Peachtree Hills and Windy Ridge, just to name a few. In every case, officers and residents come together to gain clearer understandings and develop plans to address the problems.
Last year, we made nearly 28,000 arrests and in the first four months of this year, we have made more than 7,500 arrests. Let's be clear - if we could arrest our way out of the crime problem, we would have done it already. While the CMPD will continue to do everything it can to reduce crime and improve safety, creating a true sense of safety is the shared responsibility of every member of our community.
Darrel W. Stephens, Chief of Police
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
