North Charlotte Today

Following reports that the number of murders and violent crimes went up in 2019, the Charlotte City Council has made it a priority to reduce these numbers in 2020.

“This is our reputational issue now,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. “The solution can’t just be about policing, that’s not possible.”

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, West Sugar Creek Road and I-85 is the area where most of these crimes take place. The CMPD adds that Beatties Ford Road and LaSalle Street, Nations Ford and Arrowood roads and Central Avenue and Sharon Amity Road are also high-crime areas.

Charlotte Deputy Police Chief Gerald Smith states that West Sugar Creek's 13 cash-only motels are adding to the problem.

"There is no accountability," Smith said. "We, as a city, have to hold [the motels] more accountable to the problems that are going on at their property."