CHARLOTTE — Reports of violent crimes have decreased this year, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced Wednesday.
Overall, violent crime has decreased by 8% in the city with declines in homicides, robberies, rape, and aggravated assaults.
At this time last year, there were 53 homicides compared to 45 this year, police said.
CMPD said crime reduction units have been identifying and targeting high-crime areas, conducting surveillance and gathering intelligence, making arrests, seizing illegal weapons, and working with community partners to prevent crime.
“I’m very encouraged about the way things are going,” said Clydia Davis, with Mom’s Ain’t Playing.
Davis and her group have fought for bail reform for years.
Her son, Donquavious, was shot and killed four years ago.
She was pleased when the legislature passed some of their proposals.
“Everybody is working together,” she said as she showed Channel 9′s Glenn Counts a photograph of her and North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore.
However, change must start on the local level.
“Comply with the law,” she said. “Comply with the parents. Comply with adults. That’s the biggest thing that’s missing. There is not respect among the youth.”
Auto thefts on the rise
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However, as violent crime continues to decrease, property crimes are on the rise, particularly auto thefts. Between Jan. 1 and June 30, overall crime in Charlotte increased by 11%, with the main contributor being auto thefts.
CMPD said close to 4,000 people have had their cars stolen so far this year in Charlotte, and juveniles are largely to blame.
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Kimberly Allen is one of more than 3,700 people who’ve had cars stolen in Charlotte this year -- a 143% increase from last year. Her 2019 Kia Forte was stolen from an apartment complex in May just off Mallard Creek Road.
“I freaked out,” she said.
She rented a car that was also broken into, and after all the expensive repairs to her Kia, she got it back Monday, only for it to be stolen again Tuesday.
“I pay for that car, I work hard to pay for that car and you just come and take it. That’s not fair,” Allen said.
Police said the number of Hyundai and Kia car thefts remains extremely elevated both in Charlotte and nationwide due to a social media challenge targeting these vehicles that emerged in 2022.
“In fact, if we exclude auto thefts from the equation, both this year and last, the overall crime rate would actually show a decrease of 0.4%,” Deputy Chief Steven Brochu said during a news conference Wednesday.
CMPD said juveniles have accounted for 72% of all arrests for vehicle thefts as of June 30. Many of the offenders, some as young as 12 and 13 years old, have been connected to multiple vehicle thefts.
The department said those stolen vehicles have been used in the commission of other crimes, including robberies and shootings.
Thus far, of the 520 arrests that have been made in connection with auto thefts this year, 373 of those arrested were juveniles. But CMPD said they’re going after parents, too.
“When your child isn’t home at midnight and they’re out breaking into cars, stealing cars, you’re responsible as a parent to keep up with your child,” Maj. Jonathan Thomas said.
Allen said it’s the right move, and she’s hoping it will put a stop to car thefts like her own.
“If these are your kids, you need to take responsibility for your kids,” she said.
Allen said there is security at her apartment complex, but with three break-ins, she doesn’t think it’s enough. Channel 9′s Hunter Sáenz also reached out to the complex but so far, hasn’t heard back.
The police department said they will go after parents on a case-by-case basis hoping it sends a message and stops these thefts.
CMPD also said they are excited about several recent legislative victories. Those include a bill that mandates judges set bonds for certain violent offenders, as well as a bill that will increase penalties for those who participate in street takeovers.
Another bill was also signed into law that would allow cities to employ trained civilians to investigate traffic crashes involving property damage only.
VIDEO: ‘Gut check’: CMPD concerned about juvenile crime heading into summer
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