CMPD: Crime is not the Problem it is Your Perception that's Wrong

Yesterday the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department's Public Information Office posted the following on "X":

Between April and June 2025, CMPD’s JADE Unit repeatedly arrested a juvenile involved in widespread vehicle break-ins across multiple jurisdictions in North and South Carolina. Despite multiple arrests, stolen firearms recovered and custody orders issued, the juvenile was released twice by judges and placed on CMPD's electronic monitoring. 

After cutting off the monitor the juvenile was linked to 100 more vehicle break-ins. On June 5, he was arrested again with two stolen firearms. Over the last three months, CMPD has arrested this juvenile eight separate times with charges including: 

·        Attempted Larceny of Motor Vehicles x 2

·        Larceny of Motor Vehicle x 1

·        Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle x 1

·        Felony Conspiracy x 21

·        Breaking and Entering of Motor Vehicles x 57

·        Possession of Handgun by Minor x 6

·        Possession of Stolen Firearm x 3

At least eight law enforcement agencies in both North and South Carolina have over 275 charges on this individual. This juvenile and other repeat offenders’ continuous disregard for the law greatly impacts public perception of crime in Charlotte. Habitual offenders inflate crime statistics by increasing the number of incidents and victims, creating the misconception of higher crime rates, when in reality, many of these offenses are committed by the same individuals.

Certainly a newsworthy story that the public should be aware of, and all important to illustrate the department's ongoing efforts to combat crime.

And then at the very end it goes nuclear grade stupid:

This juvenile and other repeat offenders’ continuous disregard for the law greatly impacts public perception of crime in Charlotte. Habitual offenders inflate crime statistics by increasing the number of incidents and victims, creating the misconception of higher crime rates, when in reality, many of these offenses are committed by the same individuals.

Cedar's Take:

This idiocy is troubling. They really do think you are stupid.

CMPD wants you the taxpayer and often victim to believe that crime really isn't so bad in Charlotte and that it is just your flawed perception of crime due to the same people doing the same crime again and again.

"We understand you were robbed 3 times and each time the crook took $1,000.00 worth of merchandise from your store, but we here at CMPD want you to understand it’s not so bad because it was the same guy each time!"

Seriously?

Just because every 3rd car you see in Steele Creek has a paper license plate doesn't mean they might be stolen cars. That would be a flawed perception.

The crowds of roaming thugs and hoodrats in Romare Bearden Park are just out for an evening stroll and that gunfire you think you hear is just celebratory pop rocks, never mind the crowds running down the street screaming out in fear. Uptown is very safe. To think otherwise is just a misconception. 

Remember a double homicide is really just one crime and not two.

What is it about Chief Jennings? Why suddenly is everything coming out about his shady dealings? Who with good conscience would take a $77,000 payment for moving.

Required council approval but the approval was never given? Was it even reported as income?

Who would in good conscience tell the PIO to spin repeat offenders as the cause of increased crime?

Why do the "CrimeMapper" numbers not true up?

Patrick Cannon, Tiawanna Brown, Anthony Fox have nothing on Chief Jennings.

Taking bribes, steal from the SBA, shady business connections, and the usual do you know who I am, you can't give me a ticket.

Vi Lyles and her free Myers Park Membership and the list goes on and on but small carrots to where we are now.

The lack of transparency is stunning.

The truth is smart people understand that "the perception is the reality".