CHARLOTTE — City leaders in Charlotte have presented nine proposals aimed at improving public safety, including the establishment of a local juvenile detention center.
The proposals come after months of discussions on the state of public safety, with a focus on reducing crime by engaging youth and enhancing community efforts.
Frank Crawford, advocacy coordinator with the Children’s Alliance, highlighted the need for a local juvenile detention center to keep families connected with detained youth.
“If you had a youngster that’s detained in Butler, North Carolina, which is three hours away, these families can’t connect with their kids and visit them and support them,” Crawford said.
Christopher Timothy Fowler, founder of Boys to Men Foundation, emphasized the importance of providing guidance and communication skills to young people.
“I think it’s more that they don’t have a path. They don’t have somebody to tell them, this is what we need to do,” Fowler stated.
City staff presented several proposals to city councilmembers, including adding more police officers, lobbying the state legislature for support, and investing in community efforts.
The focus on youth involvement in crime reduction is part of a broader strategy to prevent long-term incarceration and recidivism among juveniles.
According to the city’s report, 62% of juveniles arrested for violent crimes had at least one prior arrest, a statistic that advocates like Crawford aim to reduce.
Overall crime in Charlotte is down 11% year-over-year so far in 2025, with violent crime down 19%.
The proposed initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety in Charlotte, with an emphasis on community involvement and support for at-risk youth.
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