Rea Road / Elm Lane Rezoning Nightmare

Anyone who commutes into the SouthPark area daily from Union County (Waxhaw/Marvin/Weddington) area knows the traffic nightmare caused by Waverly on Providence. Many of those commuters now use Rea/Colony to get to work both Uptown and at SouthPark. 

The Gillespie Property zoned R-3 is the final holdout from development in an area that was once nothing more than Southern Mecklenburg County farmland.

The nearly 55-acre site has remained basically unchanged for the last three decades as Charlotte grew around it. Since the 1988 Calvary Church, The Shops at Piper Glen, TPC Piper Glen Golf Couse and the 815 homes and condos that surround the course have been built.

Now a developer wants to add more than 1100 rental units and towering apartment buildings. (Rezoning Petition 2022-121)

Charlotte City Council has a history of making really bad zoning choices. Steele Creek, W. T. Harris, Waverly on Providence and countless other approvals based on developers empty promises have been approved in the past with godawful results.

Accordingly, the Charlotte City Council will likely approve the zoning change for the Gillispie Property as they continue their efforts to build on the concept of density saturation that they have implemented across the city.

Yet current residents will suffer in ways that many will not understand until it is too late. 

Councilmembers will voice their belief that change is inevitable and taxpayers should expect and embrace this change. However, Piper Glen and other nearby property owners have the reasonable expectation that the character of their neighborhood will remain unchanged, and that the property zoned R-3 single family will remain zoned single family and not abruptly, on some misguided social agenda, become a towering multifamily rental complex.

Beyond the traffic, crime and congestion there’s the wear and tear on city streets that Charlotte can’t seem to handle now. Charlotte Solid Waste Services struggles to keep up with the current demand, delays are frequent and sometimes the catch-up of missed routes in South Charlotte goes on for several days.

CMPD has only two officers within the 30 square mile South Division 3 available at any given time. The US Postal Service is often forced to deliver mail in the 28277-zip code well after 7 PM because they don’t have enough staff. The streets are dirty, litter is everywhere, and potholes are as common as are panhandlers claiming to be homeless on every street corner.

Duke Energy has random power outages weekly in the area. The electrical grid is so fragil that it it like living in a third world country.

CMS students in South Charlotte are housed in temporary trailers that have been on site for 20 years.  In short, the area doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle the increase in traffic and residents.

The wildlife that calls this area home includes beavers, coyotes, and an abundance of deer, racoons, opossums, who have adapted to the incursion of suburbia admirably. However, it is doubtful that the Great Blue Heron rookery that exists just across Elm Lane will be as lucky. The pair of American Bald Eagles who have called Piper Glen home for the last two decades are also in jeopardy, as the development will come within 1000 feet of their home and completely destroy one of their preferred fishing ponds.

It is unconscionable to expect the area to “adjust” to greed and ignorance only to support council’s growth at any cost agenda. The property should remain zoned R-3 and be developed as a complement to Piper Glen and not another overcrowded group of concrete towers built in the name of progress and affordable housing.

Piper Glen is 850 acres with 815 homes and condos that's 1 home per acre. The developer and David Gillespie want to build 1,100 units on 53 acres more than 1/3 is wetlands. Thats a 2000% increase over the current area's character and that's nuts.

Northlake Mall Shooting Again! G-Star Edition

On Sunday MEDIC and CMPD said they were responding to reports of a shooting near the mall just before 2 p.m. 

The around 2:45 p.m., MEDIC said they were treating two patients with non-gunshot-related injuries and no gunshot victims were found at the scene.

Police said a dispute between two people outside of the DTLR led to a single shot being fired.

However, no one was struck by gunfire, according to police.

Police also told local media that mall security was on duty at the time of the shooting, however, they were not near the location where the incident occurred.

After the shooting incident he mall was evacuated and closed and would remain so for the rest of the day.

On Monday, CrimeStoppers circulated photos of three African American suspects involved in a shooting incident. One wearing a "G-STAR" hoodie.

Less than two months ago, the mall was closed early after a fight between two people ended in gunfire. Two people were shot, including a bystander. Three people were arrested. In March 2021, a juvenile was charged with the attempted murder of another youth following a shooting inside the mall.

The Mall has been in receivership since 2021 and was expected to be sold this week but those plans have been put on hold.

The Mall released the following statement regarding this recent shooting:

 “The safety of our guests, tenants, and employees is our highest priority. As you are aware, our security teams are on site 24/7; we work closely with our partners in law enforcement and are prepared to respond to a variety of events. While specific details of our security plans are not publicized, most are visible to our guests and shoppers while other measures are behind the scenes. Thank you to both our security detail and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their ongoing preparedness and professionalism. If you have any questions on this specific incident, please reach out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.”

“Northlake Mall does have a Youth Supervision Policy that states all visitors age 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult at all times age 21 years or older on Fridays and Saturdays after 3 pm…you can refer to our website shopnorthlake.com for more information.”

JJ Speaks About CMPD

 The following is an OP-ED by CMPD Chief Jennings that appeared in the Charlotte Observer on Thursday:

It is no secret. Police departments and law enforcement agencies across the country face ongoing challenges due to an industry-wide officer shortage. 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is no exception. We are down nearly 250 officers and we are currently experiencing a record number of retirements. 

We continue to get creative with our strategic efforts to recruit new officers, retain current officers as well as build up our civilian support staff who are so critical to our mission. 

The Police Executive Research Forum surveyed local law enforcement agencies regarding staffing, hiring, retirement and resignation trends among officers from 2019-2021. The nationwide officer shortage is supported by the key findings in the report:

▪ Down 4% in hirings in 2021 compared to 2019 

▪ Up 43% in resignations 2021 compared to 2019

▪ Up 24% in retirements in retirements 2021 compared to 2019 

Our profession has faced a multitude of challenges from COVID-19, a perfect storm of “baby boomer” retirements and “the great resignation,” to high turnover rates due to public perception of law enforcement after media coverage of high-profile police shootings and violent interactions. 

Although incentives are certainly helpful and competitive salaries are critical, it’s simply not enough. At what point do we look at the deeper, systemic challenges our officers face that change the impact of our work and ultimately affect our duty to protect and serve?

As violent crime rates increased in some U.S. cities over the last few years, CMPD saw year-over-year violent crime decreases, which we accomplished with fewer officers, fewer prosecutors and an exploding population. 

The data confirms that our work is making a difference, but at what cost? 

We continue to be challenged with strategizing how we can do more with less. 

Our 911-call response times are not where we want them to be, and we’ve been very transparent about that. 

In 2022, our 911-telecommunicators answered almost 1 million calls for service, an increase from 2021 which was accomplished with close to 20% fewer telecommunicators. 

Despite having fewer officers’ year over year, we have seen a 7% increase in arrests, an 8% increase in gun seizures, and a 5% decrease in violent crime. 

I’m certainly proud of our CMPD employees and their work, but I do not say any of this to be boastful. 

We are just learning to be as efficient as possible with the staff that we have. 

However, that is not a sustainable method for any organization, especially one responsible for the safety of a community. 

I know we have outstanding men and women within CMPD who are committed to keeping all of our citizens safe. Despite the challenges we have seen in the past few years, I commend those who have remained in the profession as well as those who have joined. As a young man out of college, I had no interest in becoming a police officer and even scoffed at the idea when recommended by a long-time friend. 

I can only imagine if the perception of policing back then was what it is now, I would have passed up on a noble and honorable profession and a wonderful career. 

Our challenge continues to be overcoming the narrative that police put on their uniform each day trying to figure out how they can harm people, specifically people of color. Imagine how difficult it is to convince anyone, much less minority candidates to join the profession when there is so much public scrutiny and controversy. 

This profession is bigger than any one of us, and when an officer violates the very laws we are sworn to uphold or mistreats someone they encounter, it impacts each and every officer across the country. Whether you believe this to be fair or not, it is the reality we face today. The impact is not just on our sworn employees, but also our non-sworn employees who are so vital to our profession. 

We are working tirelessly to recruit and retain the best men and women to be a part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. But it is going to require additional incentives, budget considerations and bold legislative changes within our systems. 

Changes that will not only encourage our existing employees who are working diligently to keep our community safe, but changes that also provide inspiration for people to enter the law enforcement field. 

Because I know without a doubt, this is still the greatest profession in the world and it is an immense privilege to serve at the best police department in the nation. Johnny Jennings is Chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, which employs more than 1,900 sworn officers, 500 civilian employees and 500 volunteers.

Repeat Violent Thug Demont Forte Released Again!

No one is surprised that Demont Forte has once again been arrested for assaulting a woman. 

Nor is anyone surprised that the Mecklenburg County Courts and liberal judge Jennifer Fleet would once again release this POS back on the streets of Charlotte.

You might recall Mr. Forte's brutal attack on a driver back in 2021 and then another arrest in 2022. (Both cases were dropped by Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather last years).

Now it seems the local mainstream media has discovered that this is normal within the 26th judicial district and they have now zeroed in on Demont Forte.

From WBTV - The Mecklenburg County District Attorney and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief have voiced their frustrations regarding low bonds set for violent offenders.

47-year-old Demont Forte was arrested Tuesday (January 31, 2023), facing charges of assault by strangulation, felony stalking, assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault on a government official.

Judge Jennifer Fleet set his bond at $5,000, releasing him back onto the streets two days after his arrest. (Actually he was released less than 24 hours after his arrest).

Forte has previously served time in prison and has a slew of arrests on his record, dating all the way back to 1994 when he was convicted of manslaughter.

In recent years, court records that show he’s repeatedly faced charges of violent crimes against women.

“Those are serious offenses, but the most concerning part about this is that he was out of jail for having done the same thing to the same victim previously and was on an ankle bracelet when this occurred,” Daniel Redford, President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police, said.

Redford said it’s time for a change to bond policies in Mecklenburg County.

Just since 2020, Forte has been in and out of the Mecklenburg County jail at least six times, arrested for crimes including assault on a female and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Records show he was released on bond within days of his arrest each time.

Redford worries about the message it sends to police, victims, criminals and the community as a whole.

“Come to Mecklenburg County. Our jail cells are open,” he said. “There’s no real protections in place when a violent crime has occurred to ensure that these offenders are where they need to be.”

Police Chief Johnny Jennings has been vocal on the issue, discussing solutions just last month.

“We increase the accountability, have a better structure and take away some of the ambiguity that’s held in the magistrate’s office,” Chief Jennings said.

Until that happens, Redford says they will continue to fight.

“When you look at the totality of what this individual has done and the chaos he has inflicted, I think that there is no other reasonable outcome then for him to remain in jail pending the outcome of his court case,” he said. (Redford should have said cases)

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Trial Court Administrator’s Office told WBTV:

In response to your inquiry about Demont Forte and about bond determinations for specific pending cases involving the individual, judicial officials in the 26th Judicial District cannot comment on pending litigation or answer questions about specific criminal cases or decisions.

We can, however, share information regarding bond determinations and pretrial release, generally. The 26th Judicial District operates according to the U.S. Constitution, North Carolina Constitution, North Carolina General Statues and Local Rules.

The 26th Judicial District continues to work with local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office to ensure judicial officials have the necessary information to make informed decisions about bond determinations and conditions of pretrial release.

Under the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Article I, Section 27 of the Constitution of North Carolina, excessive bail shall not be required. Most of the relevant statutory bail provisions are in Articles 24 and 26 of Chapter 15A (Criminal Procedure Act) of the North Carolina General Statutes. Please note that there is no statutory authorization for preventative detention in North Carolina.

Article 26 contains G.S. 15A-534, which addresses procedures for determining pretrial release conditions. G.S. 15A-534 provides that, in granting pretrial release, the judicial official must impose a written promise, custody release, or unsecured bond “unless he determines that such release will not reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required; will pose a danger of injury to any person; or is likely to result in destruction of evidence, subornation of perjury, or intimidation of potential witnesses.” Because a secured bond is not forfeited for any reason other than failure to appear, imposition of a secured bond cannot function to protect against injury or prevent the destruction of evidence, subornation of perjury or intimidation of witnesses unless it results in detention.

In addition to the factors outlined in G.S. 15A-534, please refer to the 26th Judicial District’s Bail Policy for how decisions are made regarding bail and pretrial release conditions. Judges are independent officials who rely on the information presented during court hearings to make decisions. You may also find it helpful to refer to bail policy information on Mecklenburg County’s website. Additionally, since 2014, the 26th Judicial District has been engaged in bail reform efforts as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge. You can find more information regarding the specific initiatives and efforts in Mecklenburg County at the Safety + Justice Challenge website.

CP's Take regardless of the court administrator's legalese oration the fact is that had Forte been arrested in Gaston County and not appeared before liberal lawyer who could not make it in private practice like Jennifer Fleet, Mr. Forte would still be in jail and well on his way to a long prison term in Raleigh. 

We must accept that some people are beyond redemption and they should be permanently incarcerated. Mr. Forte has proven that he has no place in society and while we wish otherwise not doing so will find that we eventually arrest this man for a another homicide. 

By the way if you voted for Jennifer Fleet back in November you are part of the problem. 

Charlotte Car Jacking Suspects Are 14 15 and 12

From Charlotte's Local Media:

A 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 12-year-old were arrested Monday night after a Honda CR-V with a 4-year-old inside was stolen, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

At about 6:15 p.m., officers responded to a stranger (non-parental) kidnapping call for service. In a video released by CMPD after the incident, Eastway Division Capt. Stephen Fischbach said it happened in the parking lot of a laundromat. The laundromat is on Central Avenue near Briar Creek Road, according to the police report for the incident.

The 911 caller said that her SUV was stolen and her 4-year-old child was inside.

Just after 7 p.m. Monday, the stolen Honda crashed at North Graham Street and Rumple Road. The three suspects were arrested and taken into custody, and the 4-year-old was found unharmed.

The two teens were charged with first-degree kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle. The 15-year-old also faces a charge of felony flee to elude.

The 12-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle.

Fischbach said the boy’s mother was inside the laundromat when it happened. He said surveillance video shows two of the suspects scoping out the car while the third stood as lookout. He said the two stole the car while the third left the scene on foot.

Police said after further investigation, the 4-year-old’s mother was also charged. Keeyamah Williams, 35, was cited for misdemeanor child abuse for leaving the child inside the car unsecured, Fischbach said.

Cedar's Take: First degree kidnapping is punished as a Class C felony. In North Carolina the law provides that a person convicted of a Class C felony receives a sentence between 44 and 182 months, depending on prior convictions. Figure that 44 months is pretty light. Bjut just enough to get the two felons out of High School and clear their record.

As for Mom being cited for a misdemeanor is not really being charged. Let's hope DSS gives her a full review. 

Different Day Same Story Charloot's Woke Agenda Is Killing The City

The tweet by local Charlotte media is the same "one person has died after a shooting in east Charlotte.

This time it is a Friday, just after 10:30 in the morning.

CMPD SUV's line the street within the 3600 block of Citiside Drive. The apartment complex two decades ago was a small secluded golf course with small homes built on the perimeter in the 1960's. Once a quiet forgotten green space located between the Plaza and Eastway Drive.

The surrounding "white" neighborhood was upended by Charlotte's City Council's "density saturation" WOKE agenda and the push for affordable housing. 

The golf course closed and the property "re-developed" with the blessing of Charlotte City Council in 2001. The developer even thanked Charlotte City Councilmember Nasif Majeed by naming a street within the project in his honor.

The local news tweets continue:

"Medic says they pronounced one person deceased.CMPD has identified the man shot to death Friday on Citiside Drive in east Charlotte.  Deandre Hagler, 22, was found shot to death inside a car."

Deandre Hagler Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Hagler was known to CMPD with priors including drugs and weapons charges 

A few hours later CMPD Officers arrested Treyvon Young.  

Treyvon Young Photo Courtesy of MCSO

The local media tweets add more narrow context: "Young is charged with Murder and Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Moving Vehicle".

Connecting Young to the shooting was easy since he was on probation and wearing an electronic monitor at the time of the murder.

By sunset, the last of the crime scene tape still flutters in the wind where once stood the driving range. Over the years the rental rates have declined and with that the demographics. The property owned by "absentee owners" in Provo Utah demand local managers keep the property fully rented with the idea that some rental dollars are better than no rental dollars. In short they'll rent to anyone.

Today burglaries have replaced birdies, and amature golfers have been replaced by carrer felons like Treyvon Young. 

The crimes of not replacing a divot have been replaced with crimes of armed robbery, assault, auto theft, and murder. 

Young had been arrested in February of last year on a charge of AWDWIKISI, and of no surprise, shooting into occupied vehicle and possession of a stolen car. He was released seven days after his arrest on an unsecured "cash free" bail. Free to continue his crime spree. 

Young's other arrest dates include: 12/06/2021, 02/17/2022, 02/10/2022, 06/22/2022, 12/15/2021.

If the justice system worked; Hagler would be alive and in jail and Young would be alive and also in jail. Yet, both would have a chance at changing their lives versus being on the "dirt side" of a golf course and the inside of a jail cell. 

Yet Charlotte City Council calls affordable housing progress.

Daniel Morgan Trial

The man charged in the death of CMPD Officer Mia Goodwin will make a court appearance this morning in Mecklenburg Superior Court Room 5310.

Daniel Morgan has been arraigned on several charges including involuntary manslaughter.

Several local news operations including WSOC's Joe Bruno are expected to be in the court room but, this court appearance is likely just a formality. 

Sources tell CP that a trial date will be set for sometime this summer unless there is a plea of guilty or a plea deal is worked out..

Morgan is also charged with three counts of felony AWDW, reckless driving to endanger, misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, felony failure to move over for stopped emergency vehicles resulting in death or serious injury, and fictitious tag.

Morgan has been out on a $208,500.00 secured bond since his arrest in December of 2021.

UPDATE:

According to CP sources Morgan has entered a plea of "Guilty" to all charges and will be sentenced at a later date.

Second Update: The Local Paper is reporting that Morgan has been sentenced to 16-29 months the charges were consolidated for sentencing under the involuntary manslaughter conviction. 

It is uncertain how long Morgan will actually serve within the State of North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Morgan was taken into custody by Meck County Sheriffs Officers and transferred to the custody of the Meck County Jail.