CMPD to reinstate safety program for off-campus housing near UNCC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Capt. Luke Sell said he's partnering with UNC Charlotte to improve safety in off-campus student housing. He said he is working to bring back the Niner Choice Program.

Apartment complexes that are part of the Niner Choice Program have to follow certain rules, like only rent to students, and residents have to go through background checks. The management company is required to hold safety meetings and make safety improvements on the properties included in the program. Police officers would also have to inspect the property and make recommendations.

"We have 80 apartment complexes in the University City Division. We definitely do not have all 80, and my goal, as the University City captain, would that we would have all 80 in that program," Sell said.

Sell said when students live with non-students it raises safety concerns. Students, who choose to move off campus and can live in apartments, can still get matched with a roommate.

Just about a 10 minute from campus is the 901 Point apartments. It's off-campus housing that helps students match with a roommate.

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UNCC student Kayla Schmitz said not all of her three roommates attend the university.

"One of my roommates, she goes to CPCC," Schmitz said. "Rachel is my other roommate. She goes to UNCC with me and my other roommate isn't in college. She's a little bit older, but it works out."

Schmitz said she supports the Nine Choice Program, even though she likes her roommates. She would like to see more safety features added to her complex.

"More cameras. They need to close the gates," Schmitz said.

Sell said he wants to have officers start inspecting apartments this summer. He said his goal of revamping and expanding the program by the fall when students return to UNCC.

When Channel 9 crime mapped within 2 miles of campus,

There were 388 crime reports within 2 miles of the campus in the last four weeks, according to a crime map. Most of the reports were property crimes, but there were more than a dozen cases of violent crimes.

Cox Media Group