CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has reported for months about the startling rise in murders across Charlotte. Assaults are up and so are shootings into houses.
Officials said arrests are also up and this is partly because of the new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Violent Crime Task Force.
It was just after midnight when someone shot into a home on Grass Hollow Court with several children inside.
No one was hurt, but it is the kind of violence police said they have been focusing on with their Violence Crime Task Force.
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Wednesday, CMPD said the task force is making good progress.
The task force has been together for several weeks now, but CMPD Capt. Ryan Kendall said they have already made nine arrests and seized seven weapons, most of them guns that had been stolen.
Police said four of those arrested were involved in a shootout and most of them had been arrested many times before.
This is the kind of violence police have been targeting and working to reduce.
"All of this ties into what the chief has talked about in the past," Kendall said. "Individuals on the street are attempting to settle minor disputes with firearms instead of other means. The problem is that innocent bystanders get caught in that cross fire."
Police said they hope the Violent Crime Task Force can continue to keep the pressure on the violent offenders.