North Charlotte Today

As is the case with many cities across the nation, Charlotte is experiencing an increase in its crime rate, especially in the Uptown district, prompting the city’s police and political leaders to strategize on how best to curtail the problem.

“I know we have issues with crime Uptown and we have to get those addressed,” Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said in a WCNC report Monday, saying the revitalization of the Uptown area is also a factor behind the rising crime rate. 

Once residents are moving about and when places like the Epicentre are open again, things could change with the crime in the area, she surmised. 

”When there are more people Uptown enjoying Uptown we are safest, honestly,” she said.

Meanwhile, CMPD will be working to better protect bars and restaurants in Uptown as part of what it calls the Entertainment District Unit Initiative. 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department admits there has been an increase in crime, and it cites contributing factors as businesses opening and closing and the increased homeless population. The department wants to work to curb violent crime, which has increased over the past five years.

Metro police are also working with community policing officers to assist with those experiencing mental health crises, the report said.