Update: What's Up With the Rea Road Truck Stop?

Props to WSOC's Joe Bruno for noticing that Charlotte City Council has plans to discuss illegal truck parking at its annual retreat this month. 

Councilmembers say they have seen an increase in complaints about trucks illegally parking on ramps and streets, particularly in Districts 2 and 4.

CP Post from Mid-December regarding the same is here.

I-485 Outer and Rea Road Exit 59.

“It is very annoying and just so unattractive,” Antoinette Mingo, a District 4 resident, said.

Antoinette Mingo says she is fed up with trucks parking on the side of streets and ramps and not just because they are unappealing, but also because of safety.

“The trucks are no tiny vehicles. Those are huge vehicles,” she said. “It is a safety issue.”

The city thinks so, as well. Councilmembers Renee Johnson and Malcolm Graham have been leading voices on the issue.

“We have to address this. Our residents have to know we are addressing semi-truck parking, grass and litter issues, specifically in District 4,” Johnson said. “We have a huge, huge problem in the city.”

“I think it is an immediate concern,” Graham said.

The city identified seven areas as problem spots where tractor-trailers are frequently found including on ramps to Interstate 485 in the University area, the Interstate 85 Connector and West Sugar Creek north of West W.T. Harris Boulevard.

According to Housing and Neighborhood Services, code violations have jumped from under 300 in 2019 to 830 in 2022. According to HNS, Code Enforcement does not have the authority to tow and a citation can only be issued if a previous notice of violation has been issued. Staff members are canvassing in the areas of concern at least two days a week.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

According to HNS, CMPD has been issuing parking citations, but the fine is only $25 and has “had little effect on the situation.” HNS says potential solutions include educational campaigns, no parking signs and making it easier to report violations.

Mayor Vi Lyles says the issue mainly stems from drivers having to pull over after hitting a certain number of hours on the road.

Mingo wishes they would park at rest areas or designated locations. She’s glad the city is looking for solutions.

“I am saying it is a city, a county and state problem because they should be working together for their constituents,” she said.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says trucks are not allowed to park on ramps and posting no-parking signs are not required by law.

The transportation department says truck parking on ramps has become an ongoing maintenance expense due to the degradation of pavement. NCDOT says there also may be drop-offs from the edge of the pavement to the shoulder.

According to NCDOT, unless a truck is disabled or directed by law enforcement, it should not be parked on a ramp at any time.

Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs, the long serving "Potted Plant" hasn't responded to email requests regarding the continuing hazard. 

As Joe Bruno's story points out it is not just 485 and Rea Road, West Blvd on Ramp, Wilkinson near the Amazon Wearhouse and several locations on the east side of 485.

Driver's say that they hate rest areas and Flying "J" and Pilot truck stops are often full and charge a fee.to park usually 12 to 18 dollars in the Southeast. Both Rea and West Blvd. are low volume ramps during the small hours of the night and that also makes them attractive.

While CLT Council member Driggs is unresponsive NC DOT was quick to point out that the problem is the North Carolina SHP's responsibility: 

Because these tractor trailers are not construction vehicles as part of the (485 Toll Road) project, we do not have the authority to remove them from the shoulder. However, I have contacted the NC highway patrol and they are able to police that from happening. Hopefully they will stay on top of it. If you have any more comments or questions, please do not hesitate to respond.

Thanks,

Brian Davis

Resident Engineer

NC DOT in this regard has been surprisingly efficient, at least in a response. CP suspects that if left to CLTCC they will treat it as they do the panhandlers, that is do nothing.

Three Finger Jack (Kyre Mitchell) Sues CMPD

 

And then there's this from the Queen City News — A protestor who lost two fingers during a 2020 Charlotte protest has filed a lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The suit takes issue with how police handled the protests related to George Floyd, a man who died during a Minneapolis arrest on May 25, 2020. Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests.

Kyre Mitchell (aka 3 Finger Jack) alleges the city and police used tactics that injured peaceful protestors in Uptown during a May 30, 2020, incident.

Lawyers say Mitchell lost two fingers on his right hand when a flashbang device used by officers exploded on him. Mitchell also suffered deep burns to his palm.

Photo Courtesy of 3 Finger Jack

The suit alleges that Mitchell was “violently assaulted and permanently maimed by Defendants that night, who recklessly used weapons and other needlessly dangerous tactics under the guise of “crowd control” to suppress, deter, and injure Mr. Mitchell – and others who similarly sought to exercise their First Amendment right to peaceably protest police violence and brutality.”

Mitchell’s lawyers said CMPD used “tear gas, flashbangs and other chemical munitions” on Mitchell and others to “terrorize, retaliate and punish Mr. Mitchell and other protesters for peacefully protesting against systemic police violence.”

The suit named specific CMPD officers in the incident.

The Lawsuit as filed is here.

Cedar's Take: What the lawsuit doesn't say is that 3 Finger Jack was allegedly holding the "Flash Bang" device seemingly attempting to hurl it towards officers when the device activated.  Perhaps the device landed at his feet and within 1.5 seconds (Normal det time) he picked up the canister and it exploded.

His injuries appear to be rather catastrophic and indictive of someone holding the device when it activates. 

Across the country as the nightly protests occurred, protestors could be seen throwing tear gas canisters back at police. CMPD officers had deployed smoke and later tear gas and flash bang devices as the violence escalated.  

Unfortunately for 3 Finger Jack, "Smoke", "Tear Gas" and "Flash Bang" devices look somewhat similar and in his apparent effort mimic other protestors picked up a flash bang and not a smoke cannister.

Mitchell posing for the local paper

A cursory review of the lawsuit shows a number of typos and grammatical errors, however the opening quote from MLK is a nice touch. 

In the end the city will settle and life will go on.

Sidebar: A nod to 3 Finger Jack, if you ever get out west you need to spend some time in Oregon. It's that state between Washington and California that gets little attention. It is that lack of attention that makes Oregon cool, and up along the cascade range on the Pacific Crest Trail there are endless climbs and hikes. There you will also find Three Fingered Jack a group of peaks that are not quite 14's but worth the effort. 

Welcome to the (Hat Trick) Jungle

Early Sunday morning, CMPD reported a death investigation in the 900 block of Moretz Avenue, which is just west of North Graham.

Then 2 hours later CMPD reported a Homicide investigation in the 300 block of Blackhawk Road, which is near the Hidden Valley neighborhood.

Then around 4 p.m., CMPD said it was investigating a another homicide in west Charlotte as Officers responded to the 3500 block of West Tyvola Road.

Starting 2023 with a "Hat Trick" of Homicides - what could be more Charloot than the ongoing slaughter of humanity while democrat leadership endlessly yap about diversity, equity and legalized weed?

Just watch as Charlotte City Council continues their misguided "affordable housing" agenda in 2023 converting single family neighborhoods into density saturated nightmares.

Democrat's WOKE agenda will forever change the character of many of Charlotte's most attractive neighborhoods forcing a purge of wealth to outlying counties as crime surges and CMPD ranks continue to shrink.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Charloot!

Cedar Update: The first homicide may be ruled accidental. But let's be clear the shooting death of a juvenile is a homicide. A murder of our youth is caused by the African American Communities' culture of violence that embraces criminality and gunplay.

The leadership of Charlotte now largely people of color are so accustomed to violence that they have accepted this as a way of life. You will notice that not one of them will speak out about these three deaths, a "Hat Trick" of Violence on the first day of the New Year.

Their continued silence is deafening, and shall not go unnoticed.

Kids with Guns and Stolen Cars

The day after the official Christmas Holiday was a busy day for CMPD as Officers pursued suspects involved in violent crimes.

The first chase began shortly after 8:30 a.m Tuesday morning, when CMPD was alerted by a license-plate reader to a car that was associated with a reported armed robbery and carjacking the night before. 

CMPD Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Hulsey said the victim of the robbery told police he was robbed at gunpoint and his car was stolen. 

Shortly after the alert Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle.

The driver refused to pull over and a vehicle pursuit ensued as the vehicle was associated with a crime dangerous to life. Stop sticks were deployed on West Boulevard. The suspect vehicle crashed at West Boulevard and Donald Ross Road ending the pursuit.

The driver of the vehicle identified as Monet Darrisaw was pronounced deceased at the scene and the passenger was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The fatal chase comes after public outcry over police chases, but the department policy is clear:

In this case CMPD Officers had reasonable suspicion the driver or occupant had already committed a crime dangerous to life.

Hulsey said the pursuit lasted 10 to 12 minutes. Until, officers deployed a stop stick tire deflation device on West Boulevard. She said the car kept going until it crashed into a tree near West Boulevard and Romare Bearden Drive.

CMPD’s Internal Affairs is investigating the pursuit to ensure officers did follow policy, Hulsey said.

In the second case two juveniles were arrested after leading Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers on a car chase Tuesday afternoon.

Police say during an attempt to stop a stolen vehicle in the area of Beatties Ford Road and Brookshire Boulevard, the suspect vehicle refused to stop.

Officers disengaged and their helicopter monitored from overhead.

The suspect vehicle later crashed and engaged in a foot chase with the occupants, leading to the arrests of two juveniles.

Both juveniles were transported by Medic to the hospital with minor injuries.

CLT Solid Waste Service's Stunning Incompetence

It's not hard really, just update your website to tell taxpayers the garbage collection holiday schedule. 

Garbage collection happens on all holidays except MLK Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This year because Christmas falls on a Sunday and the Holiday is the following Monday there will be no garbage collection on Monday December 26th. In other words everyone's garbage will be collected curbside one day late. Simple right?

Unless you are the City of Charlotte staff who think Christmas is on Sunday December 26th and you put that on the City website. It's not, Christmas is on Sunday December 25th and the Christmas "work" Holiday is Observed on Monday December 26th. 

Cedar's Take: This is what happens when you promote and hire based solely on skin color and not experience, education or common sense.

I know, it is not a big deal, and yes it is just an honest mistake, or that it doesn't really matter because most people will put their trash out on the usual day and then wonder why the trash wasn't picked up. 

Some will blame being short staffed or COVID or whatever, and say its silly to be concerned about such an obvious error.

But ask yourself if they are making such stupid mistakes on the easy stuff what is the cost to taxpayers when they screw up the major stuff? If they can't get the date right on the information they provide the public, how do they submit payroll correctly? If they can't figure out Christmas how do they know the companies they contract with are submitting legitimate invoices?

Well they are 2 for 3 apparently good enough for government work.

It is only three days a year, how freaking hard can it be to get this correct?

SouthPark Marriott Scene of Charlotte's 118th Murder

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, shortly before 4 a.m., Providence Division officers responded to possible medical emergency call for service at the Marriott Hotel located at 2200 block Rexford Road. 

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Medic responded to the scene and transported the victim to Atrium Health Main with life-threatening injuries.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

CMPD identified the victim as 32-year-old Wilmer Ulises Olivas-Alvarez.

Officers located a person of interest on scene and transported that person to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown.  At this time, officers are not currently looking for any other suspects.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department later stated that they arrested 41-year-old Danny Earl McGowan.

MCGOWAN, DANNY EARL DOB 5/1/1981 Photo Courtesy MCSO

McGowan has been charged with murder, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

McGowan has prior convictions in Mecklenburg County for burglary and a person with the same name appears in Virginia with a number of felonies. 

A search of McGowan shows a Marsh Road residence as well as other locations in Pineville and the Charlotte area as gives his profession as electrician.

According to CMPD the department's Homicide Unit detectives, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD's Operations Command, Victim Services, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team, Medic and the Charlotte Fire Department also assisted.

Cedar's Take: What the hell happened to the once five star The Park Hotel? The now 3 star dump has a nightly rate of $139.00 just slightly above Days Inn Airport. The shine has worn off of SouthPark much like the once iconic Morrison name. The sad decline of Charlotte continues. 

In Charlotte Life Is Cheap

Sometimes you just can't get your head around the crime in Charlotte.

According to CMPD they have arrested a person in connection with a fatal shooting in University City on Wednesday morning.

CMPD officers were called to an apartment complex at University Village Boulevard, where they found a male victim who had been shot at around 11 a.m.

Investigators say the victim, 28-year-old Cordarrius Donquay Harris, died from his injuries.

Donquay was a repeat felon with more that his fair share of arrests and convictions. He was facing a dozen charges on no less than two arrests made during the last year.

Needless to say he won't be making his required January 10th court appearance on domestic violence charges. 

Yet the charges his killer is facing are just as troubling.

On Thursday CMPD said 19-year-old Rohan Viresh Taskar was charged with voluntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Taskar was already facing charges in Gaston and Catawba Counties, and was arrested by Huntersville PD on drug and weapons charges in 2021. 

Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather dismissed the Huntersville drug and weapons charges earlier this year.

Takar was convicted by an Iredell County court in 2021 of speeding to elude arrest resulting in a motor vehicle death. Then he convicted in June on this year of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon in Mecklenburg County. In both case he was given probation.

On Thursday a Mecklenburg County judge set his bond at $10,000.00. 

Cedar's Take: Kill two people inside 24 months, violate your probation, rack up a bunch of other charges and the Mecklenburg DA and Judges come up with minimal charges and your bond laughable. 

It may be that the reason for the voluntary manslaughter charge is that the victim and the shooter are connected. Perhaps both climbing in a window when there was an accidental discharge. Since it was during the B&E it was not murder rather voluntary manslaughter and that would explain the odd additional charges of B&E and Obstruction.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!