Safety Alert - Third Ward

CMPD has sent notice that the neighborhood has had five residential break-ins so far this month. Homes were entered via a window being smashed or pried open. Large TVs and computer equipment were taken.

Possible suspect: Mark Summers; past aliases include Arthur Summers, Michael Summers, Mark Santiago, Mark West, and Anthony Hatton. Click here for photo.

Please call 911 immediately if you see this suspect or anything suspicious.


John Schwaller
President
Third Ward Neighborhood Association
third-ward.org

Safety Alert - Fourth Ward

There have been 16 home break-ins in recent weeks, which is a substantial spike. There is no pattern to these crimes in terms of time of day or specific location in Fourth Ward. Various items have been stolen, such as credit cards, purses, wallets and TVs.



NEIGHBORS ARE ASKED TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IS OBSERVED!

Be Careful and Be Smart

We recently receive a copy of this email to residents of an Uptown condo complex.

1 - Do not leave anything of value in your car, particularly do not leave anything valuable visible in your car. A car window was smashed and gps stolen in our parking lot recently, and this happens often on the streets near by.

2 - Shred all personal documents before throwing them in the condo trash cans. People are definitely going through our trash, whether they are looking for food or credit card numbers or both I do not know.

I spoke with one of the community officers and his advice is to be smart and don't leave anything of value in your vehicle. And certainly don't leave it in plain site. He also emphasized the importance of shredding all bills and personal documents prior to putting these in the trash. It may sound simple but following this advice can keep you from being a victim of crime.

Larceny From Auto

Below is a letter from the University Response Area. I checked with Sgt. Moorefield, our Response Area Commander, and our numbers for the last thirty days were down a few percentage points. However this is the time of year when these crimes historically increase. Please take positive steps to safeguard any items you have in your vehicle.

Hello everyone,

As mentioned in my newsletter, this week is Spring Break week for Charlotte Mecklenburg schools. In reviewing the reports for the past week we are seeing a noticeable increase in LFA’s (Larcenies From Auto) in our RA and across the division. In almost every case a GPS unit was taken from the vehicle. I can not stress highly enough the importance of locking up your GPS units or removing them completely from your vehicle when you are not in it.

Also, please remember to take the mount for the GPS unit out of your window! Leaving it in place is like sending up a flare and saying “My GPS device is in my glovebox! Break my window and see!” Both myself and my officers are trying our best to keep the reductions in crime we have seen going but we can only do part of the work. Without the public’s cooperation, especially in the area of LFA’s, we will not be successful in the long run.

If you leave valuables in plain sight in your cars the criminals will, eventually, take them! That is a simple fact of life so I’m asking everyone to please help us, and yourselves, and remove your valuables from your vehicles. As always, please don't hesitate to call 911 if you see anything suspicious...we want to hear from you!

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Sergeant Jim Morrison

Response Area Commander

First Ward Shooting

A resident of First Ward was arrested after allegedly shooting her daughter. Click here for the WSOC TV version of the story which was covered by most of the local outlets. The crime happened on N. Alexander Street and we are awaiting details from CMPD. This appears to be a domestic violence issue.

Mother Charged In Shooting Of Daughter At Uptown Home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An uptown Charlotte woman is accused of shooting her 19-year-old daughter in the chest early Wednesday.

The shooting happened in the First Ward, near the intersection of Eighth and Alexander streets, at about 5 a.m.

Be on the Lookout - BOLO

Rodney Jones has been arrested 25 times and he is a suspect in a recent break-in at an Uptown apartment. If you've seen him, call the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team at 704-336-8228.

Fun With Car Thieves

I came across this in the Charlotte Observer and had to smile. What a great way ruin the day of a would-be car thief and reduce the number of crimes in the process. Last years car theft was down more than 12%. After speaking with officers in the uptown area and I learned these decoy cars have been used in parking lots and neighborhoods to great effect. It was with much mirth that one of the more notorious uptown offenders was pick-up in First Ward. He was caught on tape in the locked vehicle and he was not happy at all. Oh well. Kudos to Nationwide insurance who help to underwrite this program in Charlotte and across the country.

If you're a car thief, beware
Police have set up decoy cars equipped with GPS units and cameras that make it easier to convict those who steal.
By Nichole Monroe Bell
nbell@charlotteobserver.com

Police park the vehicles in areas that tend to attract car thieves, such as apartment complexes and shopping centers. Sometimes police leave a key in the ignition.

So far, Charlotte police have arrested more than 30 suspects. Most recently, police charged John Edward Price, 49, of Charlotte, with felony larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of a motor vehicle after a man was found driving a bait car from the Atando Business Park area in north Charlotte.

The CMPD is currently on scene of a death investigation on the Brookshire Frwy

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. on January 8, 2009 Eastway Division officers responded to a 911 call for service in reference to an armed robbery from person at 1705 Eastcrest Dr. The victim was robbed at gunpoint and pistol-whipped by two black male suspects; who fled the scene in a stolen red Ford Mustang. Approximately thirty minutes later, Eastway Division officers spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle. After the suspect vehicle refused to stop for officers; officers initiated a vehicle pursuit. They lost sight of the suspect vehicle and due to the high rate of speed officers terminated the vehicle pursuit.

While continuing to canvass the area for the suspect vehicle; officers encountered a vehicle collision in the 200 block of W Brookshire Frwy., which involved the suspect vehicle. A plain clothed City of Gastonia Officer stopped to render aid to the parties involved in the collision. Then as CMPD officers arrived they witnessed an altercation between the suspects and a plain clothed City of Gastonia officer. This encounter involved a carjacking between the suspect and the Gastonia officer. During the carjacking shots were fired by the officer striking the suspect, the suspect gained control of the officer’s vehicle, and sped off crashing the vehicle into an overhead highway sign post a short distance away.

Upon impact, the vehicle burst into flames, one suspect fled the scene and the second suspect was pulled from the burning vehicle by CMPD officers. The suspect who was pulled from the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene and the second suspect was taken into police custody at 3113 Southwest Blvd, Apt #4 after an extensive search conducted by several CMPD officers.

Once suspect identification and family notification has been made their name will be released. In addition, the second suspect’s name will be released once he is formally charged.

CMPD Homicide detectives and the HITS unit will be conducting the investigation and interviewing witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events that occurred during this incident. Crime Scene Search responded and is processing the scene for physical evidence. The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Uptown Robbery - Arrest

From time to time the Police will do undercover operations in the Center City. This is a good use of resources and a valuable tool in the fight against crime. And it works! Well done!

On 12/5/2008 at approximately 8pm (2) Central Division Officers were working Plainclothes/Undercover during a Robbery Suppression initiative. The Officers observed 2 Black males casing (2) Asian males walking in the 100 block of N. Cedar St. The (2) black male subjects then began to follow the (2) Asian males. The Officers became suspicious of the activity and decided to follow the group.

The Officers briefly lost sight of the group for approximately 15 seconds as they rounded the corner to the 200 block of N. Cedar St. When the Officers rounded the corner, they observed the two black male subjects punching both Asian males as they held them to the ground. The Officers essentially walked into a Robbery in Progress and quickly gained control of the situation and placed both Suspects under arrest for Armed Robbery and Common Law Robbery. Below are pictures of the (2) suspects.


Johnnie Edward Smith D.O.B 9/2/1984









Timothy James Ford D.O.B. 6/19/1986








Please be vigilant while walking after dark. Report all suspicious activity to 911.


Vinton K. Simpson

Central Division Community Coordinator
119 E. 7TH ST (SUITE 2B)
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704)336-5729

Be On The Lookout - BOLO

On Friday, November 21, 2008, an individual was robbed in First Ward. Please be aware of your surroundings and travel in groups after dark. Also; the police suggest that you do not resist if you become a victim as this could escalate the situation.

Just before 7 pm three black males robbed a resident who was walking at 9th and Alexander. 2 dark blue hoodies, 1 white hoodie with grey or silver fur collar and gray swirl pattern on the rest of the jacket. One stuck a pistol or bb gun up to the victim while the other 2 went through his pockets. Victim resisted and one of them hit him on the head with an unknown object. They fled south on Alexander. Person fitting the white hoodie description possibly lives in or around apt.s with pool near 8th and Davidson Sts

Don't forget First Ward community meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Rec Center.

Ofc. K.S. Kodad
Central Division
kkodad@cmpd.org
(704)336-5729

Uptown Shootings

WCNC and other news agencies have reported on two recent Uptown shootings. A double murder in Gateway Village and a drive-by in First Ward. A shooting, or any crime for that matter, is cause for concern by both residents and uptown workers. Having said that some media outlets seem to be over playing the "fear factor" by using quotes which sell stories.

To be honest, I was a little bit nervous," said Bill Ferry, who works at the Bank of America office nearby. "I've been in the Gateway Village area for six years and nothing's ever been this close."

and

By Monday there was no sign of the shooting, but that didn’t stop pedestrians like Mo Campbell from being worried about it.

"It would make me more hesitant to come downtown for going out downtown to the clubs or anything like that -- more hesitant,” he said.

The 24-year-old victim was shot in the back and taken to the hospital. The drive-by happened around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, which is a little close for comfort for Vinnie Aragona who arrives to work before 6 a.m.

"I'm concerned about the safety of myself and other people that commute in early," said Aragona.

The police doubt these crimes were random and the reality is that Uptown Charlotte has some of the lowest crime stats in the City. This is true even though the numbers are skewed by events in the "entertainment district" and reports filed at the United Family Services Center in First Ward. Again; any crime is unacceptable and gun violence is especially abhorrent. In the Gateway incident two city buses were hit and the First Ward shooting was near residential buildings. The other reality is we were lucky no innocent by-standers were hurt.

WSOC TV seemed to get the balance right in this story.

Capt. Jeff Estes with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said because bars, condos and restaurants are popping up everywhere in uptown, more people are coming to the center city. He said the Central Division has the lowest crime rate in the entire city, and this year, it's dropped even more.

Through September of this year, violent crime in Central Division is down 11 percent. Property crime is down 8 percent.

But Estes said these recent crimes are on police’s radar.

"When something like this happens, like the incidents in the last few weeks, we do take special notice. In a way, it's a good thing, because it keeps us accountable. This is a safe place and we want to keep it that way," said Capt. Estes.

Uptown Burglary - Arrest

Two individuals entered a condo in Fourth Ward while the resident was home. The criminals were unware they were being observed as the entered. The police were called and an Officer detained the suspects a short distance from the condo. They were passively identified by the victim and the belongings were returned.

The suspects in this case a Rodney Eugene Jones b/m D O B of 9/6/1971 and Ashley Sharon Hunter b/f D O B of 8/20/1989 were arrested and charged and no this is not their 1st time in the system.

Thanks to some good police work and some bystanders willing to get involved this case was brought to a quick conclusion.

The complaint number is 20081020-2301-00



BREAKING AND/OR ENTERING (FELONY)
LARCENY AFTER BREAK/ENTER



BREAKING AND/OR ENTERING (FELONY)
FICTITIOUS INFORMATION TO OFFICER
STOLEN VEHICLE - POSSESSING

Fourth Ward Update

Parking Update
The Committee has been working hard and has made recommendations that will be presented to the Board and the community in September. These recommendations will be published and time for comments from the community will be provided. More to come.

Safety Update
Two 4W residents will address the October 27 General Meeting about public safety. Both were victims in two separate sexual assaults in September 2007 done by the same man – Chris Tabb - within a few minutes of each other. The first woman's chest was grabbed as she walked to work on a Saturday morning on Church Street. The second woman was pushed down and accosted. He only ran away after she threatened to call the police. ADA Samantha Pendergrass - who capably prosecuted the case – will also be coming. A jury acquitted him on the Attempted Rape case in August, but convicted him of several lesser charges. (He had been let out of jail only one month before after being arrested for exposing himself, and masturbating, in front of another 4W resident.)Mr. Tabb has been in jail since the incident and remains in jail pending an evaluation.

Thefts from vehicles continue to be our biggest problem. While we are fortunate to not experience much violent crime (unlike other areas of the city), we are at grave risk of continuing to make Fourth Ward an inviting target to criminals. Today's car thief may be tomorrow's home burglar. So when you leave your valuables in plain sight, you may be taking a risk with your own property. But you are also laying the groundwork for your family's and neighbor's home burglary, or worse.

FOFW Newsletter

Be On The Lookout - BOLO

James Burns McDaniel was arrested on 8/19/08. He was observed stalking women in surface parking lots in uptown. He was picking out women walking alone, talking on the cell phone, or not paying attention to surroundings. He would following them through the lots waiting to see if they would get out of sight of the public.

His criminal history shows he has multiple convictions for aggravated robbery in Tennessee and Virginia . He also has multiple convictions for B&E Auto , Theft , Forgery , and long list of drug charges.

Click here to see arrest records.

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.

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.

Focus on Uptown Crime

Recently the Charlotte Observer published a story on "crime spots" which "pose unique challenges" for CMPD. It is commendable that the police meet with Charlotte Center City Partners to stay informed on the uptown events. Also; both the leadership and community coordinators of the Central Division remain accessible and responsive to the needs of the uptown neighborhood associations. Together we work to solve problems and keep the neighborhoods safe and livable. Uptown Charlotte is a great place to live, work and play.

Center city an area of focus

Michael Smith, president of Center City Partners, meets with officers from CMPD's Central Division weekly.

They talk about upcoming events at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, the convention center and area bars, as well as any possible criminal trends in the city. It extends from the CMPD's creation of a unit a few years ago that focuses solely on the center city using a sergeant and 10 full-time officers who work mostly nights and weekends.

Still, the area features the highest amount of violent crimes -- all crimes involving force or threat of force -- in the Central Division.

Considering the number of people who visit the city, Smith said, Charlotte compares favorably to any similar-sized metropolis.

"It's a place where all of Charlotte comes together, and we need to keep public safety a top priority," he said. "I guarantee my colleagues in other cities would trade (statistics) in a New York minute."