9 Investigates rise in crime at uptown Transit Center

Thousands of people will pack into uptown Charlotte during the week of the July 4 holiday.

Channel 9 took a look at crimes reported at the Charlotte Transit Center ahead of the busy holiday period.

Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tolison determined there have been more than 100 crimes in and around the center in the last six months, including robberies, assaults, and even gunfire. And while gathering video during his investigation, Tolison and the photographer he worked with encountered a man with a knife.

During the day, Channel 9 asked people at the Transit Center a simple question: Do you feel safe at the Transit Center?

Several people said they feel safe during the day, but the story was different when asked about coming to the Transit Center enter at night. Many stated they avoid the area completely.

When Channel 9 went by the Transit Center at night, it was quiet and empty. But Tolison and his photographer were confronted by a man panhandling a block away at the Epicentre. Their camera captured audio as the man showed the knife off, claiming it was for sale.

"I got a hunting knife for sale, right. Ten bucks. And that ((expletive)) got a blade that's sharp as hell,” the man said.

Tolison reported the man to nearby security officers and he ran away.

In the past six months, there have been more than 100 crimes reported at or within a block of the Transit Center. Most of the crimes were thefts, but some were more serious.

In January, a witness reported a shooting. Police later found bullet shell casings. Also in January, a man told police a group of people stole his bag at gunpoint. In March, a woman said she was assaulted by a suspect who took her purse. And in May, a man was stabbed. All of the incidents were on Trade Street. None of the victims were seriously injured.

Charlotte Area Transit System employees, past and present, contacted Channel 9 about people's safety in the vicinity of the Transit Center.

Shaequontia Gaddy, who used to drive buses for CATS, wanted to speak on camera to bring attention to the dangers she said employees face every day. Gaddy wasn't surprised to hear about the crime reports at the Center.

"Late nights. Well, I'm going to say it like this, when it's dark, that's probably the worst time." Gaddy said.

Gaddy's biggest concern is loitering. She said some people spend hours at the Transit Center, not trying to catch a bus, but instead are trying to commit crimes.

"You got to have your defense line up because you don't know what you're going to run into,” Gaddy said.

In the Transit Center and at the Epicentre, there are private security guards, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg police patrol the areas in between.

CMPD Capt. Dave Johnson said the high crime numbers aren't unusual in the area around the Transit Center because of the volume of people.

"It's just a center and hub of activity for the entire city," Johnson said.

But Johnson acknowledges, as Charlotte's population grows, crime in the city's center could grow too.

"I know the chief wants to expand our transit unit, create a whole new transit division, to try to get ahead of that issue before we're faced with it head on,” he said.

Officers could be busier this week than in past July 4 weeks. During this week in 2016, CMPD received 301 calls for service at the Transit Center, the Spectrum Center and the EpiCentre combined.

The two years prior? Just a few dozen calls.

Police said they'll be ready to act.

"We're always going to do what we think is best for the safety and protection of the citizens who live here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” Johnson said.

In response to our questions and this investigation, CATS issued this statement:

CATS is committed to the safety of its riders and employees. More than 20,000 bus riders move through the Charlotte Transportation Center, also known as the CTC or Transit Center, each day. The CTC is open to the public 19 hours a day and is staffed with security 24 hours every day. G4S, CATS' contracted company law enforcement, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office routinely patrol the center and assist riders using the CTC. As with any area that has high concentrations of people, crime does occur.

CATS is part of an outreach group called T.E.A.M. (Teen Engagement And Mentoring). The group visits the CTC weekly and speaks to young people about how they can become more productive citizens. T.E.A.M. members include staff from CATS Safety & Security, CMPD, the Sheriff's Office, G4S Security Services, The M.E.N., and The Relatives. Through this outreach group, we assist with providing services like mentoring, housing, employment, and education that will help youth succeed in life.

During large events in Center City, like the upcoming July 4th holiday, CATS brings in additional lighting and law enforcement staff to handle the increase in customers at the CTC and monitor activity in and around the Transit Center. CMPD also assists with staffing and communications to help the CTC operate more smoothly during those times.

[ http://charlottenc.gov/cats/about/safety/Pages/your-call.aspx ]

. Citizens can also contact law enforcement at the Transit Center or call 911.

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