Make the Holidays Special for a Child

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and the US Marine Corps Reserves are teaming up to make the holidays special for the children in our community who would otherwise not have anything to celebrate. This is the 30th year the CMPD and USMC Reserves have worked together on Toys For Tots. Last year, your generosity made the holidays special for more than 1300 needy children in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.


Between now and December 18th, please donate any new, unwrapped and non-violent toys to Toys For Tots at any of the locations listed below. We particularly need toys for older children, ages 8-14. Financial contributions are also accepted.


Drop-off locations:


Any CMPD office
Any Charlotte fire station
Family Dollar
Peak Fitness
Coldwell Banker Offices
Moe's Southwest Grill
Jersey Mike's Subs
Nationwide Insurance Offices
Toys R Us
Big Lots
Bank of America's Stadium (During Carolina Panther's game December 16) Marine Corps League


For more information, visit http://www.toysfortotsnc.com/

cmpd.org

Light Rail Safety

I found this story on the WCNC web site. It sounds to me like the folks at CATS have done this right. They have people and cameras watching and recording everything. They have put in emergency call stands at each stop along the route. And don't forget the police are constantly patrolling the route and riding trains. Well done CATS! Well done CMPD!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007
By GLENN COUNTS / WCNC E-mail Glenn: GCounts@WCNC.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The sights and sounds of riding the rails brings back the romance of a bygone era.

"I love it,” said passenger Lois Heebner. “I’m so excited. Yeah, I’m happy. I’m ready for this.”

But the love for a lot of people like Heebner is parking your car and saving some money. The LYNX is a cheap bargain, but only if it’s a safe bargain.

"We've been considering this for six years,” said James Doughtery, head of security for CATS. He says a lot of thought has gone into making the light rail safe.

"We have emergency passenger intercoms where they can communicate with the operator who is also in contact with the rail operations control center,” Doughtery said.

There are also cameras on the trains, which record everything; cameras on the platforms, which are well lit and open, discouraging crime; and of course there is a police presence.

"We’re out and about,” said Sgt. George Mentavlos with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. “Very visible out riding the trains, and we’re going up and down the light rail corridor.”

If you don’t have a cell phone and need to call 911, there are emergency call stands at every stop. Operators from the control center can see all the platforms 24 hours a day.

All of this is designed to make passengers feel comfortable and safe.

"But that's a major concern and was hoping that it stays safe,” said another passenger, Becky Burgess. “As long as it stays safe, I’ll definitely be riding.”

Armed Robbery

We, in the center city, are not immune to this type of crime. Our crime numbers are great and armed robbery seldom occurs. Yet, as this Charlotte Observer article indicates it still happens. This is a reminder that we need to stay vigilant.

Uptown eatery robbed
STEVE LYTTLE
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com

Police in Charlotte's uptown area are trying to solve an overnight armed robbery.

According to police reports, two men entered the Dunkin Donuts shop shortly before 4 a.m. and robbed the business at gunpoint. The eatery is in the 200 block of North Graham Street, near West Sixth Street.

None of the employees was injured, and there is no word as to how the suspects escaped.

Armed robberies are not common in the uptown area. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police's Central Division, which includes uptown, has the smallest number of those crimes of any of the department's 13 divisions.

Deputy Chief Jon B. Hannan Named Fire Chief

(Charlotte, NC) … City Manager Curt Walton announced today that Deputy Fire Chief Jon Hannan has been named Fire Chief for the City of Charlotte effective December 30. Hannan will replace Luther Fincher, who will retire on December 29 after 42 years with the City of Charlotte. In addition to responsibilities for all fire and emergency services for the City, the fire chief also directs the City's Homeland Security operations.

A twenty-eight year department veteran, Hannan currently manages day-to-day operations and works with staff to plan, organize and direct departmental activities.

"Jon's appointment is a testament to the talent that lies within our organization because we didn't have to go far to find the best person for the job," says City Manager Curt Walton. "His rise through the ranks has allowed him to become familiar with the numerous and unique functions of the department, and his leadership and contributions over the years are key reasons the CFD is such a respected organization throughout the world."

Hannan joined the City of Charlotte in 1978 as a dispatcher and began his firefighter career in 1983. He was promoted to captain in 1987 and has served in several key roles in the departments. In 1996, he was promoted to battalion chief and later to deputy chief in 1999.
"City Manager Walton couldn't have made a better choice for Charlotte's next fire chief," Fincher said. "Jon has demonstrated he has the talent, skill and vision to lead this department of dedicated firefighters."

"I am humbled by this opportunity to serve as the City's Fire Chief," says Hannan. "And I am honored to have an opportunity to continue the department's tradition of protecting this community, and I look forward to developing new and innovative ways to ensure its safety in the future."

Hannan earned an associate's degree in Fire Protection Technology from Central Piedmont Community College and a bachelor's degree in Fire Safety Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a graduate of the Professional Executive Leadership Academy of the University Of North Carolina School Of Government and holds a Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Hannan resides in Charlotte with wife, Miriam and two children.

charmeck.org

Crime Stats - September through October

FIRST WARD STATS
9/1/2007 TO 11/6/2007

23 Larceny from Auto in and around the neighborhood

19 Non Aggravated Assaults (Mostly Bar district related)

13 Other Larcenies

10 Auto Thefts (Spread throughout the neighborhood and along College and Brevard St)

8 Residential Burglaries (Spread throughout the neighborhood)

3 Robberies (2) occurred around the Bar district, however (1) did occur on N. Davidson St. On 9/9/2007 at 9:44pm the victim was walking from her home on 550 E 8th St to the Southside Meat Market located at 624 N Davison Street. The victim was in the 600 block of N Davidson when an unknown black male wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans, approached and began yelling at the victim. The victim ignored the male and the male caught up with the victim and grabbed her tearing her shirt and then knocking her to the ground.


THIRD WARD
9/1/2007 TO 11/6/2007

24 Larceny from Auto

12 Vandalism

7 Other Larcenies

5 Auto Thefts

6 Commercial Burglaries

2 Residential Burglaries

1 Strong Arm Robbery On 9/19/2007 at 8:06pm the victim and she stated that she was walking west on W. Trade St towards her apartment when she saw the suspect standing to the side. The victim stated that the suspect looked at her and said something. The victim stated that she gave him a dirty look and kept walking. The victim stated that she heard loud steps coming up behind her. The victim stated that she turned around and saw the suspect running up behind her. The victim stated that the suspect grabbed the front of her handbag and tried to snatch it off her arm. The victim stated that she had a hold of the bag, because the straps were underneath her shoulder. The victim stated that the suspect tore the gold lock off the front of her bag. The victim stated that the suspect realized that he was not going to get the bag and just kept running west on W. Trade St. The victim stated that she turned around and picked up the lock that came off her bag and called her roommate and told her what happened. The victim stated that she called 911 when she got home.


FOURTH WARD
9/1/2007 TO 11/6/2007

37 Larceny from Auto in and around the neighborhood

12 Shoplifting (mostly from the CVS located on Graham St and the Harris Teeter on Pine St).

10 Vandalism

9 Other Larcenies

5 Auto Thefts

3 Commercial Burglary

2 Armed Robberies. On 9/12/2007 at 1:12am in the 200 block of N. Graham St, the victim advised that he was walking home from Cans Bar, when he was approached by the suspect, who was riding a silver/grey mountain bike who put a silver revolver to his back and demanded the listed property from the victim. The victim gave the suspect the property, but the suspect let the victim keep his driver's license.
The victim advised that before he was approached by the suspect, the suspect was talking to another w/m and the victim thinks that the suspect was robbing him as well. The victim stated he could not remember what where the other w/m went while he was getting robbed.

On 10/02/2007 at 12:14am in the 400 block of N. Smith St the victim, , advised he had just walked home from Cans, a bar at 5th and Graham and stopped to say hey to his neighbor Dustin Crosby. The victim advised that he was speaking with his neighbor when the two black males one wearing a white t-shirt and red ball cap, the other dressed in all dark clothing, robbed him with a gun. The suspect wearing the red cap held out a gun that was black and appeared to be an uzi. The victim gave the suspects his wallet and cell phone with the keys to his car. The suspects then demanded the pin number for the debit card belonging to the victim. A witness advised that the victim gave the suspects the pin number. The suspects then saw the witness sitting on the porch and went to rob him and he advised them that he had no money and turned his pockets inside out. The suspect that had the gun began waving it in the air and the witness advised that it appeared to be a fake gun.


1 Attempted Rape

The subject above attempted to rape a young lady walking alone in the 200 block of W. 8th St on 9/29/2007 at 7:15am. His name is CHRISTOPHER ANTWAN TABB.

He was arrested shortly after the incident.

Ladies please be careful when walking alone, especially in low light situations.

Police Chief Darrel Stephens to Retire

November 7, 2007

Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton today announced that Darrel Stephens, chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), will retire March 1, 2008 after eight years of overseeing a 13 Division Department of more than 2,000 employees responsible for the safety and well being of nearly 730,000 city-county residents and thousands of visitors annually.

"Chief Stephen's leadership will no doubt leave a legacy on our City and we will continue to benefit from his vision and the many programs he put into place to keep our citizens feeling safe for generations to come," says City Manager Curt Walton. "And by giving his notice months in advance the Chief is helping to ensure a smooth transition until the next Chief is selected."

"I have been honored to lead the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and privileged to work in this city. Charlotte is blessed with strong political, municipal and community leaders who do what is necessary to sustain and enhance our quality of life," said Chief Stephens.

While the CMPD has long been recognized as a national leader in policing, Chief Stephens is extremely proud of the accomplishments of the past eight years. The current crime rate is one of the lowest since 1981. CMPD has focused efforts on making Charlotte-Mecklenburg a safer place by establishing problem-solving partnerships and expanding police services. The CMPD has responded to the challenges of homeland security while adjusting resources to improve hometown safety. The technological investments made have substantially improved organizational and information-sharing efficiencies. The Gang Intelligence Unit and Gang of One programs were established to combat the growing problems of youth gangs.

Chief Stephens adds "We sought and obtained legislative changes that provide officers with more tools to address a range of public safety issues. There is still much to be done and I am confident the men and women of the CMPD – who are the finest law enforcement has to offer – stand ready to confront the challenges ahead."

Chief Stephens was appointed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief in September 1999. He has served as police chief in St. Petersburg, FL (1992-97), Executive Director of the Washington, DC based Police Executive Research Forum (1986-92), police chief in Newport News, VA (1983-86), police chief in Largo, FL (1979-83), assistant chief in Lawrence, KS (1976-79), and police officer, sergeant, and unit commander in Kansas City, MO (1968-76). He also served for two years as the St. Petersburg, FL City Administrator (1997-99). He is recognized nationally for his contributions to problem oriented policing which has its roots in Newport News while he served as chief.

In 2006 Chief Stephens was elected president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and in 2005, he received the prestigious Police Executive Research Forum's Leadership Award and was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He has co-authored several books and published many articles on policing issues.

He holds a BS degree in the Administration of Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an MS degree in Public Administration from Central Missouri State University, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree in 2006.

The City Manager will develop a process for selecting a new chief over the next several weeks.

cmpd.org

First Ward Crime Alert

Hello First Ward Neighbors,

From 9/7/2007 to date, we've experienced (23) Larceny from Auto calls
for service, (9) Auto Theft calls as well as (6) Residential Burglaries
in and around the neighborhood. These numbers are similar to other areas
of town. We need to ensure that we're all doing what we can to limit the
opportunities for the thieves out there.

* Secure all your valuables.

* Don't leave anything of value in plain view.

* Report any suspicious people or activity to 911.

* Please don't ignore unusual activity, especially strange faces hanging
around the area.

One of the Burglaries involved (3) teens (2) males and a female
traveling in a small white SUV. They knocked on doors along the 500
block of N. Alexander St and then proceeded to kick in one of those
doors. They entered and removed a TV and a Laptop. This took roughly a
minute, from start to finish.

Please don't underestimate the power of paying attention to your
surroundings. A nozy neighbor could sometimes be your best friend.



Vinton K. Simpson P1789
Central Division(First Ward Community Coordinator)

119 E. 7th St Suite 2B
Charlotte NC 28202

(704)336-5729