CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said the police department is making progress in the fight against violent crime.
While the homicide rate is up 54 percent compared to last year, he said the total of violent and property crimes committed is down 4.2 percent.
Putney also compared Charlotte to other major cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Nashville, Columbus, Memphis and Louisville, Kentucky. Charlotte is tied for last for homicides per 1,000 and is fifth for robberies per 1,000.
"We are a safer city than maybe you have been led to believe," Putney said.
He credits efforts focusing on priority offenders and his summer overtime initiative in the Metro, Eastway and Central divisions.
Officers made 51 arrests, cited 2,014 people and seized 14 guns in these high crime areas over the summer.
Putney said the goal isn't to arrest their way out of the cycle of violence.
He's proud that 45 of 49 people who participated in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s diversion program are now employed.
"The only way to make a long-term impact is to break the cycle," he said.
Community leader Tony Rogers said CMPD is smart to invest in diversion programs and getting people jobs will help keep them out of jail.
"The girls will like them better, they will make more money and they won't do the crime," Rogers said.
City Manager Marcus Jones said CMPD will likely pursue an increase of 40 officers during the next budget cycle, which will likely be a re-occurring request.
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