Latest report shows uptick in crime at Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina released its annual school crime and violence report Monday. While there were some improvements, there were also some discouraging numbers.

This past year, safety has been a top priority for North Carolina school districts, especially Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools after a deadly shooting at Butler High School.

[Slain Butler HS student's father: 'My son lost his life over foolishness']

In Mecklenburg County, fewer than two out of 100 students are involved in reported crimes, but the state found that when students are involved in a crime --- the cases are becoming a lot more serious.

Overall, crimes involving weapons, drugs or violence at CMS high schools went up from 584 to 710.

[ALSO READ: North Meck teachers' safety in question]

After seeing the numbers, one CMS parent said this is something everyone should be concerned with, not just the district.

"Crimes in general have to be handled, and I think it's more of a community situation. Each community has to take charge," parent Elle Scott said.

In terms of discipline, there were more than 20,000 short-term suspensions, 10 long-term suspensions and nine expulsions.

The high school dropout rate also increased slightly.

Channel 9 continued to comb through the report and learned there was also a disturbing spike in sex crimes on campuses statewide.

The new crime statistics show sex crimes are up almost 50 percent, with nearly two dozen more sex offenses in North Carolina schools last year.

[Cameras, gates, alarms: One of newest CMS schools to benefit first from $9M safety upgrade]

There was a 22 percent increase in firearm offenses, with 128 guns found on campus and the number of students caught with drugs is up by 7 percent.

The crime report will be presented at the State Board of Education meeting Tuesday.

Read the full report here.

Cox Media Group