‘Live better lives’: CMPD’s juvenile unit faces reality of reducing teen crime

CHARLOTTE — After chaos in Uptown on New Year’s Eve, 2024 started with 11 juveniles in handcuffs.

Shortly after, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched the Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment – also known as JADE.

CMPD Lieutenant Crystal Fletcher said her team spent the year working to get the youngest offenders on a better path.

“Too many times we see repeat offenders. The officers working a shift may arrest the juvenile at the beginning of the shift, see them again at the end of the shift, which makes no sense,” Lt. Fletcher told Channel 9.

She said JADE officers will visit the families of young offenders to offer resources and build relationships.

“Part of the resources that we offer are improved communication, conflict resolution, decision making. It’s there to help them, not just put them on the right path, but to live better lives in the community,” Lt. Fletcher said.

CMPD said its officers have visited more than 150 homes through the program this year, taking 70 guns off the streets.

In September, police said the team arrested two repeat offenders after one of them threatened to kill two girls.

Investigators said they saw the teens holding a gun during a live social media stream, executed a search warrant, and found the 16- and 17-year-olds had two stolen guns.

Attorney Scott MacLatchie has worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years. While he said social media can play a big role in helping solve crimes, strong relationships between parents and their kids can help prevent them.

“For the parent or parents of the perpetrator, tough love. And it’s hard. It’s easier said than done. I mean as we all know, there are a lot of factors that play into this. But it’s a reality and it’s something we can’t overlook,” MacLatchie said.

Another reality they’re facing: the numbers, which show JADE has plenty of work to do.

“Homicides in the third quarter, just involving juvenile victims, was an increase of 50% compared to the last year. And for juvenile suspects, it was a 117% increase. So, we still have work to do,” Lt. Fletcher said.

But she believes that work will pay off, giving young people in this neighborhood – and others – a better future.