Be On The Lookout - BOLO

Two guys in a white Toyota truck with AT&T on the side came to my house and I was not home. My neighbor saw them and called me, I informed her I did not have AT&T. She watched the guys and they rang the doorbell and no one was at home so they then went and opened my fence gate and started in the back yard. She yelled and questioned the guys and they gave her a story about a work order etc. They did not have the work order or my name. She called me and I spoke with the gentlemen and nothing was making sense. I called AT&T and their security division called me back and informed me they do not have Toyota trucks nor was anyone scheduled for a service call in the area yesterday at that time. AT&T has alerted their drivers and security division to be on the lookout for this truck. I wanted to let you know in case you have email to neighbors in Plaza Midwood you could let them know to be on the lookout so they don't get robbed by these guys. David at AT&T left his number to call in case anyone sees this truck 704-724-6243. David said all AT&T reps wear khaki pants and an AT&T shirt with a ID around their neck which these guys were not wearing.

This incident occurred in Plaza-Midwood and details were provided by the resident.

First Ward Robbery

Two guys knocked on the door of a townhouse in First Ward and pointed a gun at the owner, demanding his cell phone and wallet. The criminals took off running. This was in broad daylight at 4:00 in the afternoon yesterday.

We are waiting for more information from the police.

Homeless or Criminal?

Are the homeless criminals, drunks and drug addicts? A few are, but not all. The question is how do we treat our homeless citizens who are not breaking any laws, yet satisfy the complaints from those who want the homeless gone? This Charlotte Observer article touches on the issue. We are a nation of laws and our laws must be obeyed. We are also a nation of givers and organizations which help our homeless are worthy of support. The Urban Ministry Center, through a myriad of services, have been helping the homeless for years. Take a few moments to visit their web site and if you are so incline you can make a small donation to support their mission.

Police crack down where homeless eat
As uptown grows, so does pressure to keep out homeless
By Franco Ordoñez
fordonez@charlotteobserver.com

In an effort to relocate homeless from a developing area of uptown, police this month launched a crackdown on misdemeanors at a popular gathering spot for free meals.

“The Wall,” as it is referred to, on Phifer Avenue next to the Hal Marshall Center, for years has been a place of refuge for the city's growing homeless population. Advocates for the homeless bring cars full of food several days a week and set up tables to hand out meals and clothes.

The police, pressured by local property owners, began the new project to enforce misdemeanor crimes such as littering and trespassing associated with the meals. It is part of a larger effort to reduce crime in the area.

It's a sticky issue that reflects Charlotte's ongoing struggle over how to balance the needs of its growing homeless community with continued efforts to revitalize uptown. Roughly 5,000 men and women live on Charlotte's streets.

Police said they're receiving a growing number of complaints from area property owners about the homeless. The owner of Rustic Martini bar, at North Tryon and Phifer Avenue, reported that homeless have loitered and urinated on his property, police said. The upscale martini bar opened last summer. Calls to the bar were not returned.

Members of the homeless community say the police are trying to eliminate one of the few places they have to get a hot dinner in uptown.

This is not the first time police have stepped up efforts to control the homeless population in uptown.

In 2003, the city passed an ordinance making it illegal to panhandle within 20 feet of ATMs, outdoor cafes, banks, taxi stands and transit stops. Uptown benches were outfitted with metal bars to stop people from lying down.

Community Document Shred Event

WHO/WHAT: Michael Barnes, Charlotte City Council District 4 representative, will host a shred event in District 4.

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 10 am - 1 pm

WHERE: Parking lot of Smokey Bones BBQ and Grill, 8760 J.M. Keynes Drive

WHY: To give residents the opportunity to properly destroy and dispose of sensitive and/or confidential documents. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police detectives and officers will be on site to provide information on the dangers of identity theft and tips on preventing incidents of identity theft.

CONTACT:
Kim Pearson-Brown
Charlotte City Manager's Officer
704.336.2180
kpbrown1@ci.charlotte.nc.us

Sergeant Walt Bowling
CMPD Fraud Unit
704.336.8292
wbowling@cmpd.org

July Fourth Arrests

Perhaps we are learning to behave or perhaps folks are taking our city leaders more serious. At any rate arrests were down from previous years in the center city. Good! Uptown is a fun and safe place to visit and we appreciate the efforts of CMPD and our elected officials in keeping it so.

July 4th arrests down from last year
By Dan Tierney
dtierney@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police reported 42 uptown arrests as of 2:30 a.m. Friday night, down from 143 arrests during last year's Fourth of July celebrations.

Police said a combination of aggressively enforcing laws, proper planning and rainy weather that kept some people at home helped limit the number of arrests.

In an effort to limit 911 calls, police urged people to call 311 with noise complaints. Police reported 911 call volume down from last year, with 454 calls made to 311 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.

Thank You CFD

Yesterday both First and Fourth Ward honored the men and woman of our neighborhood fire stations with a July fourth Feast.

In what has become an annual event many of the Friends of Fourth Ward enjoyed dinner at Fire Station #4 with those who were on duty. In addition to the fire department several members of the Police Department were able stop in as well. The large spread was made possible thanks to the generosity of many neighbors.

Over in First Ward the First Ward Community Fund provided dinner for all who were on duty at Station #1. According to Captain King "Everything was great. There was plenty of food for all of the firefighters and for everyone in alarm. Please express our gratitude to all of your members for their kindness. We had a few families stop by for visits and we enjoyed having them and showing the children the fire trucks."

Independence Day

In this article the Charlotte Observer is reporting, once again, the police will be out in force on the Fourth of July in Uptown. Last year I witnessed the men and women of our Police Department giving folks multiple chances before finally taking them to jail. A clue: behave yourself and you won't get arrested. Come uptown and enjoy the day and the night. Bring your family and celebrate our Independence Day!

Police plan show of force for uptown's July 4 celebration
Officers trained to quell riots will be on alert as others watch for drunk drivers.
By Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com

Police hope a show of force will make this July Fourth seem like it was years ago in Charlotte – when the biggest concern about coming uptown for fireworks was where to park.

Three years after one person was shot in the face at the uptown fireworks display during what police called a civil disturbance, police say revelers should expect 400 to 450 extra officers on duty throughout the city, said Deputy Chief Jerry Sennett.

Last Fourth of July, there were no major disruptions in the center city and police made 169 arrests – a sixfold increase over the two previous years. Sennett said officers had a problem with some youths, and will strictly enforce the city's midnight curfew on Friday. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult after that time.

Red White and BOOM! Fourth of July Celebration

When: Friday, July 4, 2008 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Center City Charlotte and Memorial Stadium (310 N. Kings Drive)

The fireworks are being staged from the Central Piedmont Community College campus. Some streets around the campus will close after 7:00pm to accommodate the fallout zone, so expect traffic in that area to be heavy. Streets will reopen immediately following the show.

The "Red, White and Boom!" fireworks show will be approximately 20 minutes long. The show begins at 9:30pm (weather and fire department clearance permitting). The show will be staged to a music track that will be played live at all viewing venues and will be simulcast on all five Clear Channel Radio stations.

July 4 several viewing parties will occur downtown. For locations, check www.centercitycharlotte.org. In addition, Family Fun Fest will be held at Memorial Stadium. Family-friendly activities will run from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. There will be stadium and grass seating to watch the fireworks. The event is alcohol-free but there will be food and soft drinks on sale.

In conjunction with Red, White and Boom, a food drive benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank will be held this year. Canned food will be collected at the Fun Fest at Memorial Stadium. Participants 18 years of age or older in the canned food drive can register to win a FREE round-trip ticket to anywhere in the continental United States courtesy of US Airways.

Arrest In First Ward

This morning I had a bird's eye view as the U.S. Marshals, with assistance from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, arrested a fugitive in First Ward. As an added bonus they were able arrest a second individual, with an out-standing warrant, who happened to be there. This was a extremely intense situation which was executed in a very professional manner. Apparently the fugitive was staying with friends. The suspect is now in custody and the friends are in jeopardy of being evicted. Well done and thank you to those who help to keep us safe!

Click here and here to see those who were arrested.