Crime is increasing and the criminal justice system is failing, according to the results of our March community crime survey of Charlotte-Mecklenburg citizens.
The survey shows citizens' experiences conflicting heavily with police claims that crime has been significantly reduced the past year. Citizens believe the county court system is far too lenient and that the city and county governments are not meeting public safety expectations.
75% say crime is a serious or very serious issue in their community
42% feel that crime has become worse
75% believe the current system's lenient sentences results in more crime
79% believe that Charlotte-Mecklenburg city/county governments need to do more to address crime in their neighborhood, or in the city as a whole
78% believe the Mecklenburg County court system is too lenient on sentencing offenders
Read all crime surveyresults and view the original survey questions.
NSC conducted the community crime survey by email and mail in March. Survey responses came from all across Charlotte-Mecklenburg and represent all 13 divisions of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. The responses will help NSC and its civic and government partners determine how residents feel about crime.
Police budget cuts and crime rate increases are sweeping the country
Keep an eye on our city, county and state officials as they finalize our public safety budgets. Across the country, local governments are cutting police budgets, laying off officers, and leaving open positions unfilled. As a result, community safety is declining, and crime is inching up, according to a new in-depth article by Stepjanie Simon at the Wall St. Journal.
3 key excerpts
"In the crosshairs: community-policing initiatives created over the past two decades, such as having officers work in troubled schools, attend neighborhood-watch meetings and help small-business owners address nuisance crimes like graffiti. Such efforts are popular, and some experts credit them with contributing to the steady drop in the national crime rate since 1991."
"Cuts have swept communities from Stockton, Calif., to Naperville, Ill., depleting some departments to 1980s-era staff levels."
"In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently vowed not to lay off cops, but tight budgets have slowed hiring so much that the force is down about 12% from 2000, with more attrition expected. Some violent crimes, including homicides, are on the rise."
is a grassroots coalition of individuals and neighborhood groups working together to reduce crime in the city of Charlotte and in Mecklenburg county. We partner with civic and business leaders to drive effective change. We've been successful thanks to the efforts of many people in all walks of life in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and across North Carolina.
The entire criminal justice system in North Carolina is dysfunctional and severely under-funded. NSC is working to keep the facts in the forefront and demanding accountability for changes that will improve the safety of all Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents, employees and visitors. Find out more about our crime reduction mission, goals and achievements.
Founding members tell their compelling stories
Your free membership is an opportunity to be a part of the solution by staying informed. We keep members updated with email updates, blog posts, and educational website content, plus a variety of ways to make a difference.
