Recovered - Stolen Property

The CMPD is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the owner(s) of a high-end camera we believe was stolen in a car break-in or home burglary. We would like to return the property to the owners. They may not know the camera has been stolen since we have no theft reports matching the description of this particular camera. It appears to be new, perhaps purchased around Christmas-time. It is an Olympus E510, 10 megapixel digital camera with two lenses. The camera was in a Tamrack bag. Anyone with information about the owners should contact Ofc. B. Ashley by email or by telephone at 704-432-2443.

cmpd.org

First Ward Parking Alert

Parking may be an issue in First Ward on Friday, May 30, 2008. Trinity Episcopal School is hosting an all-school family event which will run from 3:30pm to 7:00pm. The school is located at 750 E. 9th Street.

For more information please contact Laura Gainer at (704) 358-8101 x254.

Skateboards in Uptown

Hello everyone,

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department is in the process of getting together a new city ordinance that would prohibit skateboarders from utilizing the sidewalks within the I-277 loop for skating. We are looking for community response on how you feel about this proposal.

If there are any questions, please contact me via email.

Thanks

Vinton K. Simpson

Central Division Community Coordinator
119 E. 7th St (Suite 2B)
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704)336-5729

CRIMINAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE CREATED:

At its regular meeting May 20, the Board of County Commissioners created a Criminal Justice Task Force charged with reviewing the criminal justice system as a whole, using the recently completed study and other information, and making recommendations to the Board for changes and improvements which would make the most effective impact on the criminal justice system in our community. This task force, first mentioned in Chairman Roberts' State of the County address in March 2008, is a collaborative effort involving the city, county, business community, and regular citizens, whose concerns about increasing property crimes have caught the attention of many elected officials in the past weeks.

The role of this Task Force will be to provide input and recommendations on all aspects of our justice system, including gang prevention, court operations, sentencing, the construction of a new jail, and other areas funded by the state, the county, and the city. Within 120 days of its first meeting, the task force plans to have final recommendations. Meetings will be open to the public. The work of the task force should be completed in September.

The Task Force will be co-chaired by retired Judge Shirley Fulton and retired Carolinas Healthcare Systems CEO Harry Nurkin. Interested citizens will be able to apply to be on this task force as well, and an on-line application should be available from the county next week at its website www.mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Neighbors Call 911

Recently the Charlotte Observer reported on the arrest of three young men for house breaking. Some alert neighbors called 911 after observing suspicious activity. This is how a Neighborhood Watch works! We watch out for one another and call the police when we see a problem. Don't assume someone else will call the police. Click on the names of those who were arrested to see the charges:

Randy Sims
Chason Martez Brereton,
Demontrez Dobie

Suspicious neighbors help land 3 in jail
911 callers alert police to burglary, help them find suspect who fled

CLEVE R. WOOTSON JR.
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com

Three men who police say were burglarizing a south Charlotte home were arrested after suspicious neighbors called 911 and a woman opened her front door while the burglars were still there...

Police arrested Randy Sims, 19; Chason Martez Brereton, 18; and 17-year-old Demontrez Dobie. All three were arrested on burglary-related charges, though more charges could be filed once officers figure out where the goods inside a car the teens were driving came from...

The first call to police came just after noon Friday from a person in the Beverly Woods community. The caller reported that a white Mercury Grand Marquis with three males inside had been cruising the neighborhood and that the driver had dropped off two suspects....

When officers arrived a short while later, the thieves were trying to flee. One ran into the house, which was surrounded by officers. The suspect surrendered after a police dog and officers entered the house.

Important - Gang Prevention Act Day!

From neighbors for a safer charlotte:

Today, May 21, 2008, has been designated as the Gang Prevention Act Day. We are asking everyone to help in getting this important legislation passed, by contacting your State Representatives. Mayor McCrory is asking us to do it tomorrow. While that would be helpful, please consider contacting your representatives before the June vote.

What is the North Carolina Street Gang Prevention Act?

North Carolina is one of only 5 states that does not have gang legislation, yet 150 gangs operate in Mecklenburg County and an estimated 550 gangs operate in our state. We have a serious and growing gang problem in our region and we need this important legislation to pass, to criminalize the operation and recruitment of gang members in our state.

For highlights of the legislation, go to our website and click on "Featured
Stories"

To Contact your State Representatives, go to: www.ncleg.net and click on
"Representation"


The following is a letter received today from Mayor McCrory:

Dear Virtual Caravan to Raleigh Participants:

As I prepare for the trip and news conference in Raleigh tomorrow with Mayors and Police Chiefs from cross the state, I want to urge you to contact your state representatives tomorrow (Wednesday) about the need to pass meaningful gang legislation this summer and add resources to the state criminal justice system to back up the work of our police officers.

I just got some very disappointing news today that the Governor's budget recommends less money than last year for the State Criminal Justice System and State legislators have asked for even more cuts from the Judicial branch. This makes our work all the more important .. and also harder. We made some inroads last year with state funding and now I would hate to see us take two steps backwards since we are still so far behind with the support needed for the state criminal justice system.

Thanks for your continued efforts to stay engaged on issues in Charlotte...and Raleigh. Also, thanks for participating in the Virtual Caravan to Raleigh for Public Safety 2008 on Wednesday, May 21. Information about State Leaders and General Assembly members can be found at www.ncleg.net.

Mayor Pat McCrory

City Manager Names Rodney Monroe Chief of Police

Walton and Monroe to hold press briefing Monday (May 19) at 4 p.m. in the Council Chamber, CMGC

Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton announced today after a five-month comprehensive search process that Rodney Monroe will be the new Chief of Police for Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Monroe was one of three candidates selected as finalists for interviews with the City Manager and invited to Charlotte to participate in a public forum held May 13.

Monroe embodies the qualities and characteristics identified in the profile developed for the next Chief of Police. These included offering the citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg aggressive and effective leadership and programming needed to address potential increases in crime rates; a strong commitment to customer service; dedication to policing that involves the community; and understanding of the importance in managing crime, public order and traffic safety issues.

Additionally, the next Chief of Police will have broad experience in all areas of municipal policing including patrol, criminal investigation and administration with an established record of effectively managing the activities and functions of a police department, all of which Monroe's has had experience.

"Rodney Monroe personifies every aspect of the ideal Police Chief especially as a strong communicator, says City Manager Curt Walton. "He also has an extraordinary passion for law enforcement and prevention that makes a community a better place to live."

When City of Charlotte officials conducted a site visit in Richmond, VA, they were consistently informed by citizens, business and civic leaders that they have the highest degree of respect and admiration for Monroe. His talents, skills and attributes include being a team player, inclusivity, high-integrity, building rapport with citizens, intelligence, collaboration, promoting change, accessibility and toughness when necessary.

Monroe began his policing career in 1979 as a police officer with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, rising to Assistant Chief of Police, the department's second highest sworn rank. In May 2001, he became Chief of Police for the Macon, Georgia Police Department, and in 2005 was recruited to the City of Richmond to lead the Richmond Police Department.

As Police Chief of the City of Richmond he created a dedicated homicide unit and started the Cooperative Violence Reduction Partnership (CVRP) with prosecutorial and correctional agencies. During his tenure as Chief the number of homicides in Richmond decreased by 33 percent and Richmond was no longer on the list of top five cities with the highest murder rate during his tenure, representing a 26-year all time low.

"The chance to be the next Chief of Police of Charlotte-Mecklenburg is one of a lifetime, says Rodney Monroe. "I have admired all that Charlotte has accomplished and respected CMPD from afar, and now I have the opportunity to take a great organization to the next level creating an even safer community for citizens."

Chief Monroe will begin his position here in Charlotte no later than June 16, 2008. The exact date is yet undetermined, so as to give Chief Monroe and the City of Richmond time to work out the details for the transition.

Crime and Gang Legislation Action Day - Wednesday, May 21

Dear Charlottean:

Recently, many citizens have contacted me regarding their concern for the rise in crime in Charlotte. More than contacting me, citizens have also offered suggestions and solutions to help us fight back against crime and make sure Charlotte retains its high quality of life. Today, I want you to know about a way Charlotteans can be involved in helping to address a key facet of crime, which is gang activity. There will be a Gang Legislation Action Day on Wednesday, May 21 to let state lawmakers know citizens across the state want action on passing tough and meaningful anti-gang measures.

I have said to many that we are working to address crime issues in Charlotte through a number of efforts, including providing the police with more resources and engaging citizens to support our policing efforts. I have also said that our state criminal justice system is broken and we need help from other government bodies, particularly from the State of North Carolina and the General Assembly members.

The Gang Legislation Action Day gives us the opportunity to speak with a collective voice of Mayors, elected officials, and North Carolinians all across the state to let our legislators know we need gang legislation this summer to help address the growing gang problem. We also need to communicate that we want more resources and support for the state criminal justice system (DA's, Courts, and prison space to back up the police).

I hope you will participate in the Gang Legislation Action Day (and encourage others in your neighborhood and on your email lists) by undertaking a "virtual roadtrip" to Raleigh through emails and phone calls to State Legislators and Officials -- or meeting me at a press conference in Raleigh at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21. The NC Metropolitan Coalition of Mayors, the NC League of Municipalities, the NC Metro Police Chiefs Association, the NC Sheriffs Association and the NC Attorney General and other elected officials will hold a joint news conference in the Press Conference Room of the Legislative Building in Raleigh (West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601) next Wednesday to call on the state lawmakers to pass gang legislation during this current legislative session ….. after three previous attempts. A key voice we need at the news conference is citizens. After the news conference, we will walk the halls of the Legislative Building to visit Legislators and seek action on passing gang legislation this summer and getting more support for the state criminal justice system.

Since it is hard to travel on short notice, I hope you will consider at least the "virtual roadtrip" and contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Representatives in the General Assembly, plus other state elected officials. Contact information for the Legislators can be found at www.ncleg.net and I have included some other contact information below.

Thanks for keeping in touch with me about crime issues and for working to be part of the solution to maintain Charlotte's high quality of life.

Mayor Pat McCrory

Be On The Lookout - BOLO

This subject has recently been going around to area churches and making up hardship stories to the congregations soliciting for money. Please be aware of this "False Pretense".

David O'Neal Twitty
B/M DOB: 11/18/1963

Click here for a list of Mr. Twitty's most recent arrests.

Speed Street - 2008

Food Lion Speed Street will be held this year from May 22 through May 24, 2008.


The 600Festival runs from 11am to midnight each day. Click here for the festival map which includes street closures and staging areas. The article below comes from charlotte.com and provides good information about the festival.

NOT SO FAST | TRAFFIC NEWS BY DAN TIERNEY
Expect traffic detours for race festival

Starting this week, center city Charlotte transforms
into the unofficial welcome center for NASCAR fans.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, various uptown streets will close -- some until Sunday and others will reopen for a couple hours per day to help alleviate weekday traffic.

All in the name of Food Lion Speed Street.

For the 14th year, the festival will engulf uptown Charlotte. Concert stages, vendors and thousands of fans clog the streets, with limited vehicle access.

Work or park in uptown Charlotte? Here's a list of what streets are closing and when:

• Tryon Street: Closes from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Sunday between Third and Eighth streets.

• Trade Street: Same hours as above between Church and College streets.

• Eighth Street: Same hours as above between College and Brevard streets.

• Fifth and Sixth streets: Closes at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and reopens only from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday between College and Church streets.

• Seventh Street: Closes at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and only opens from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday between Church and College streets.

• College Street (between Seventh and Ninth streets unless noted): One lane open between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday. Fully open from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Closes overnight and reopens from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday before closing again. Two right lanes open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday between Seventh and Eighth before closing for the night. Open fully from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Friday before closing for the weekend.

Not So Fast | Traffic News By Dan Tierney

Meet the Candidates for Police Chief

The public is invited to attend a public forum to meet and address all three candidates on Tuesday, May 13 at the Blake Hotel on McDowell Street starting with a candidate reception at 6 p.m. immediately followed by individual candidate forums. The new Chief of Police will be named before June 1, 2008.

Click here for information about the candidates.

Click here to tell City Manager, Curt Walton, your thoughts.

First Ward Break-in - More Information

The crime happened at 9:16AM on North Alexander Street. The criminal(s) stole the owners laptop and wallet. They were attempting to steal the Plasma TV when they were interrupted by the home owner. This leads the police to believe that the suspects had a vehicle with which to transport the stolen goods. They think the suspects had been watching the neighborhood for an easy target. Also; they may have a fingerprint which will help in the investigation. Again; if you see something suspicious please call 911.

First Ward Break-in

This morning there was a break-in on Alexander Street. The individuals knocked on the door and when there was no answer they kicked-in the backdoor. This was a brazen daylight crime. The owner was home and apparently scared the criminals off. This pattern is becoming familiar around the city and we need to remain vigilant as a community and call 911 when we see suspicious people doing suspicious things. I will post details as they emerge.

City Manager Selects Finalists for Chief of Police

Public Forum Scheduled for May 13

City Manager Curt Walton announced today that three finalists from a candidate pool of 47 applicants have been selected for consideration as the next Chief of Police for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). The Chief of Police serves as the leader and director of CMPD, which has been recognized as a national leader and innovator in policing. The Police Chief leads a department of more than 2,100 employees, with 1,638 sworn officers and 468 civilian positions, and manages a $174 million budget. CMPD has focused efforts on making Charlotte-Mecklenburg a safer place by establishing problem-solving partnerships and expanding police services.

Finalists were recruited and selected through a comprehensive process managed by The Waters Consulting Group that included national advertising and Web site recruitment page in addition to public input into the development of a Police Chief profile; focus groups with CMPD Command Staff, community and business leaders; elected officials surveys; assessments; panel interviews and site visits.

With experience ranging from 22 years to 28 years in policing, law enforcement, administration, operations and technology, the finalists for CMPD Chief of Police are:

Deputy Chief Jerry Sennett, CMPD
As Deputy Chief of CMPD, a consolidated city-county department, he is responsible for several different divisions, including Support Services and Field Services. Sennett supervises service area majors, who oversee such specialized units as the Transit Policing Unit, Special Events, Secondary Employment and the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Law Enforcement. He implemented COMPSTAT, a system for managing police operations by pinpointing locations, methods and perpetrators of crime, allowing CMPD to improve service throughout its 13 patrol districts. Sennett was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2004. He joined CMPD in 1979.

Deputy Police Chief Alan Dreher, Atlanta Police
Department Dreher is responsible for the daily operations of the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia. Since 2002, he has managed the Criminal Investigations Division, Field Operations, Support Services, the Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire and the Field Inspections Section. Prior to working in Atlanta, he served 23 years with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief, during which he was responsible for police service at Capitol Hill, The White House, and the Downtown District.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe, Richmond Police Department
Since 2004 Monroe has served as Police Chief of the City of Richmond where he created a dedicated homicide unit and started the Cooperative Violence Reduction Partnership (CVRP) with prosecutorial and correctional agencies. During his tenure as Police Chief, homicides were reduced by 33 percent. He began his policing career in 1979 as a police officer with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, rising to Assistant Chief of Police, the department’s second highest sworn rank. He also served as Chief of Police in Macon, GA for five years.

The public is invited to attend a public forum to meet and address all three candidates on Tuesday, May 13 at the Blake Hotel on McDowell Street starting with a candidate reception at 6 p.m. immediately followed by individual candidate forums. The new Chief of Police will be named before June 1, 2008.