Estella Patterson Chief - Updated

CMPD just announced that Estella Patterson will return to Charlotte to become the Department’s next Police Chief!

Patrol Officers are "Over Joyed" according to the FOP Lodge 9 and can’t wait for the new leadership under Stellaaaaaaa!

Props to the FOP for extending a warm welcome to the return of Estella Patterson.

I'm glad the FOP issued a positive message and hope their optimism is well founded. Let me know how this works out.

Stella Patterson is the Charlotte City Manager's choice for Chief but do the potted plants on Charlotte City Council agree? So far crickets.

How does the discrimination lawsuit with her husband filed against Charlotte Fire and the City figure into this? Apparently it was settled last week.

The former CMPD DC's comments in the wake of the BLM riots and George Floyd idiocy has obviously been greatly discounted.

Perhaps she has addressed these comments? Otherwise they seem to be massively disqualifying.

From 2020:

Chief Patterson is welcome to believe in the myth of systemic racism and white privilege all she likes. She can preach her fear of "White Nationalism" privately till it suits her. But when she represents the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department she represents all citizens of Charlotte not just non-white citizens. This makes CP wonder......What crimes of White Nationalism is she speaking of? How many have there been in Charlotte? How many hate crimes committed by Proud Boys or the White Aryan Nation? If these groups are active in Charlotte why is this the first we have heard of them? Seriously, if the KKK held a rally in Charlotte, all of three people would show up and only if the weather was nice. The only thing even close to a white supremist hate crime in Charlotte was some fool who spray painted "ALM" and All Lives Matter" on the side of the NASCAR hall of fame building. Wait for it, and the perp caught in the act was a black guy. In a community that is divided and fearful as Charlotte has become, that last thing we need is a public servant who feels free to spew hate filled rhetoric about racists and Nazis that creates a further fear and distrust in a system of laws and common equity. There is no systemic racism. People like Patterson need to stop trying to shame white people and trying to illicit white guilt. So many liberals are in terror of being seen as racist. The terror that causes white Americans to act guiltily toward minorities even when they feel no guilt. Ironic that a person who is entrusted to uphold the law would even consider speaking publicly about "White Nationalism" from the lofty perch of Deputy Chief.

Finally the question of direction.

Patterson remains committed to hiring more female officers. But why? Would we not be happy with just any qualified officers?

What about crime? What about overtime? What about traffic scofflaws? What about the "Vison Zero" putting an end to traffic fatalities in Charlotte disaster? What about CATS and the murder of Iryna Zarutska? What about the homeless?

How does one retire after 3 1/2 years of service at age 54?

Finally Cedar's Take:

Leadership is not a job title or a uniform with a bunch of stars on it. Leadership is intangible way of being. Leadership is taking the time to recognize those who toil under the radar, without hesitation and kick ass daily. Leadership is recognizing the weakness in yourself and the strengths of others.

Leadership earned and never rewarded.

That said maybe CMPD doesn't need a leader? It seemed to do ok with backwards vest wearing JJ.

Maybe just an effective manager, a budget smart bureaucrat who can report the numbers and sign the paychecks and leave the George S. Patton stuff to someone more qualified?

The Lack of Marketing Smarts at CATS

To those of you who do not use public transit this might come as a surprise. 

Marketing is not part of CATS skill set. They really don't understand pricing and human nature.

This price schedule is part of the reason no one pays to ride the Lynx Blue Line.

If you ride the Blue Line from Pineville Uptown a single trip one way is $2.20, your return at the end of the day another $2.20. To and from work is a very reasonable $4.40.

To buy a ticket you use the kiosk, stand with your back to danger and try to navigate the endless prompts. Imagine your a single white girl its raining you worked late and there is a homeless guy raging at unseen demons dancing around the Camden station platform. It's getting dark.

Are you going to buy a ticket? Hell No! Your only thought is get me outa here.

Let's look further a "day pass" is $6.60 for unlimited rides. Why? Who rides the light rail more than twice in the same day? It is not something you do for fun!

A ten ride pass - a week of to and from work is $22.00. No discount but you save yourself the hassle of buying a ticket every time from the kiosk. 

Monthly - Unlimited $88.00 sounds like a deal? Pay once have a pass for for the whole month but wait if you work five days a week and ride to and from work that's $22.00 a week at the full price and if you buy the month long pass its $88.00 so yes you get 2 or 3 days a month free. Never mind that the average worker has two weeks vacation and if you work at a bank around 11 bank holidays each year. 

Your discount for buying a month long pass is less than 5% and zero if you take a day off.

Sure make the argument that your could go to Panthers game for fee. Who in their right mind that rides to work every day of the week is going to ride to a Panthers or Hornets game?

What's wrong with this pricing model?

First it rewards no one. It doesn't reward advance purchases. If the hope is compliance then CATS should reward compliance. Buying a month long pass should be so inexpensive that there is no reason no to buy it. 

Then there's the "Senior" discount. First 62 is hardly Senior unless you're at Harris Teeter and that means you are over 55. Second real Senior don't ride the damn train and if they did they darn sure don't need a 50% discount. They are slow to get on the train slow to get off. The take up more space with their walkers and canes and they are often overweight. If anything Seniors should pay more for the inconvenience they cause. Don't believe me? Just try shopping at Harris Teeter on Senior Discount day.

CMPD's Overtime Nightmare

Recently CMPD Command implemented a new directive to limit overtime within the department.

For taxpayers. it is another example knee jerk management rather than leadership and planning and just another example of wasteful spending and endless mismanagement.  

But for Officers it is massive screw driver and a no-back hex-head stainless steel SCREW!.

As the FOP letter below outlines this new directive limits overtime to a maximum of 10 hours per seven-day work period and 20 hours with a fourteen-day work period. 

 

The FOP letter also points out to declining morale, increased attrition to other agencies and a growing sense that for Officers, their well-being is over looked.

Interesting to know that the same staffing concerns voiced two and three years ago are being down played by Command saying that CMPD will soon be fully staffed. As Redford points out the "fully" is based on outdated figures from when Charlotte had fewer resident.

It also clearly discounts upcoming retirements and transfers to other agencies. 

As CP has pointed out in the past CMPD is woefully understaffed. By comparison Boston PD has more than 2,200 sworn Officers and yet the city population is under 675,000 vs Charlotte's nearly 1,000,000 citizens. Which might explain Boston's 2024 homicide count of 36 vs Charlotte's 110.

FOP President Redford asks that the city and department either rescind the discretionary overtime policy or transition the Spectrum Arena Traffic Management to an off-duty payment system.

Most of us taxpayers are unaware of the role that over-time and secondary employment plays in the lives of our CMPD Officers. But for the vast number of these men and woman these "side gig" assignments offer additional pay that is needed to make ends met, keep the mortgage current, fund their retirement plan and hopefully pay for their kids education.

The other issue is when there's a lack of man power, the boots on the ground have to come from somewhere.

Finally the City gives a $305,000 payment to a butt hurt police chief, $1.5 million to fund a blacks only night club, $600 million to a billionaire football team owner with a losing team and $245 million for upgrades to the Spectrum Arena yet paying a CMPD Officer an extra $15 an hour for overtime sets command into panic mode. What is wrong with these people?

So how do you see it?

And one more thing..... Let's be careful out there.

CMPD Arrests Ronnie Fewell Charged with Murder Just 3 Days Out of Prison

On Friday, Oct. 10, at approximately 5:32 p.m., CMPD Officers responded to an assist MEDIC call for service in the 4800 block of Wallingford Street.  Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim who sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene by MEDIC.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services and MEDIC also assisted. 

The victim in this case was identified as Ronald Neville, 53.

As a result of the continued investigation, homicide detectives identified Ronnie Fewell, 32, as a suspect in connection to this case and obtained warrants for his arrest.

On Tuesday Oct. 21, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located and arrested Fewell.

Fewell was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the following:

Felony Murder

Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon

Felony Conspiracy

Cedar Bonus

Fewell was arrested on August 11 2023 and held in the Mecklenburg County Jail until trial in February of this year. He was convicted in February r on a plea deal offered by Meck DA Spencer Merriweather. In exchange for dropping nearly a dozen counts including AWDW Inflicting serious injury and shooting into an occupied dwelling (3 counts) was given credit for time severed and sentence to an additional si months plus 18 months of probation.

He was released from the Scotland Correctional Institute on October 7, 2025 just 3 days before killing Ronald Neville.

CMPD Affidavit:

On October 10, 2025, Westover Division officers responded to 4825 Wallingford Street, Room 146,in reference to an assist medic call for service. The 911 caller advised that she did not think the male was alive and there was blood around the victim. CFD and MEDIC arrived on scene and advised the victim had several GSWs and that there were DCCs on the ground. 

Officers arrived on scene and advised MEDIC 50 pronounced the victim deceased at 1744 hours. Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene were requested and responded to the scene.

Detectives obtained video from areas around the incident location. Video showed walking through nearby PVA, to the victim's room. The suspects then force their way into the room. After several seconds of being inside the room, they quickly leave. One of the suspects was seen with backpack that he did not have prior to going inside. The suspects then leave the motel area in the; same direction they came.

Multiple city-wide email were sent to all CMPD Sworn for the purpose of identifying the four suspects.

Two separate Law Enforcement Officials made contact with detectives on this case regarding the identity of Suspect #3. They both stated they believed he was B/M Ronnie Fewell (02/14/1993 as they were familiar with him.

Detectives compared multiple arrest photographs with video and photographs at ard around the time of the murder.

They determined that Fewell was indeed Suspect #3 and was one of the four people responsible for the murder of victim in this case.

Based on these facts, detectives believe there is probable cause to charge Ronnie Eugene Fewell (02/14/1993) with Felony Murder, Robbery With Dangerous Weapon, and Felony Conspiracy.

Mecklenburg County Bail Bond System Hopelessly Broken

Last week a Black woman Dominique Horne went on a violent rampage over a t-shirt, at a Family Dollar store she tried to force a customer to hand over the NASCAR shirt the customer had on. When the customer refused she started pushing the customer. She then left the store only to return with a gun, pointing the gun at the head of a customer and then pointing the same gun at a CMPD Officer who had responded to the call for service.

She was arrested and charged with: 

Assault on a Police Officer with a Firearm, 

Assault by Pointing a Gun (3 counts), 

Misdemeanor Child Abuse, 

Going Armed to the Terror of the People, 

Possession of Marijuana, 

Carrying a Concealed Weapon without a Permit. 

She was later released on a $1,500.00 bond.

Kylie Mast had a fight with her ex boyfriend while she was moving out of their shared apartment. At one point she slapped him with an open hand and was then arrested on one count of:

Misdemeanor Domestic Violence. 

She was later released on a $5,000.00 bond.

How does that make sense?

Family Dollar Customer Who Threatened to Shoot Everyone Released on $1,500 Bond

More than a week ago in Charlotte a woman tried to take a NASCAR t-shirt from another Family Dollar shopper.

The incident occurred on Monday (October 6, 2025) at the store on North Graham Street.

A witness told local news that it all began when a woman wanted another female customer to give the woman a NASCAR shirt she was wearing.

When that customer refused the women started fighting, then the woman ran out of the store before returning with a gun and began pointing it at people.

Media also stated that "according to the police report, the woman also had a knife, a switchblade, and a machete".

But local media down played the facts, from WSOC:

"New video shows chaos as woman waves gun inside north Charlotte Family Dollar"

The incident involving a gun at a Charlotte Family Dollar was also reported by WBTV and other outlets. On October 7, 2025, "a woman threatened shoppers with a gun at a Family Dollar on North Graham Street after a dispute over a NASCAR shirt escalated". The woman was arrested but taken for a mental health evaluation. 

WCNC -  "An argument over a NASCAR shirt at a Family Dollar on North Graham Street turned violent when one woman left and returned with a gun, threatening other customers and employees."

The argument started with a demand for the shirt and escalated to physical altercations before the suspect left and returned with a gun.

The suspect pointed the gun at customers, including a teenager who was forced into a fetal position. Police arrived, subdued the woman, and made an arrest.

News media also left out the fact that the woman pointed the gun at another women's head and then for yet for some unknown reason local news also left out the part where:

"The Officer arrived on scene and approached the front doors of the Family Dollar when the suspect, later identified as Dominique Horne, emerged from the front doors, with the firearm pointed at the Officer.

The Officer drew his service weapon and gave verbal commands for Horne to drop the weapon, in which she did and she was taken into custody."

Local media desperate to portray Blacks in a better light are lying to the public to shape the news to fit their narrative. 

Dominique Tashina Raelan Horne

(Let's be very clear the CMPD Officer risked his life on a 50/50 chance that Horne would comply. Had the Officer fired his weapon the local media would have made this a national news story.)

Family Dollar stores are a Mecca for trouble. Within the last year, there have been several incidents involving guns at Family Dollar stores in the Charlotte area. 

February 2025: Shooting near West Boulevard

Location: West Boulevard and Remount Road.

Incident: A shooting outside a Family Dollar store left one person with life-threatening injuries.

Outcome: Police investigated the scene, but no further details were immediately released. 

July 2025: Deputy-involved shooting in Harmony

Location: A Family Dollar in Harmony, N.C., approximately 60 miles north of Charlotte.

Incident: A deputy shot an armed man with a knife who was attempting to enter the store. The deputy first used a Taser, but when the man continued toward the entrance, he fired his gun.

Outcome: The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment and will face charges upon release. No one else was injured. 

January 2024: Armed robbery in east Charlotte

Location: Albemarle Road.

Incident: Two armed suspects robbed a Family Dollar store at gunpoint, taking cash and cell phones.

Outcome: A shot was fired, but no one was injured during the robbery. Police later released surveillance footage to help identify the individuals. 

But the stupid doesn't stop there. Mecklenburg County Judge Elizabeth Trosch 

Mecklenburg County District Court Judge Judge Elizabeth Trosch

who obviously hates law enforcement released this nutcase on a bond of only $1,500.00. (Nope that's not a typo).

Horne bonded out Thursday October 16th at 9:29 in the evening.

Additionally Horne was "BANNED FROM ALL FAMILY DOLLAR LOCATIONS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY. " Never mind that Family Dollar stores in neighboring counties are on their own.

Horne was also ordered to "PARTICIPATE IN OUT PATIENT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND FOLLOW ALL RECOMENDATIONS/MEDICATIONS"

Plus, COMPLY WITH ANY YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES SUPERVISION ORDERS. 

As well as not possess ANY FIREARMS.

Horne's next court date is November 6th.

CMPD Affidavit

On 10/06/2025, at approximately 1536 hours, Officers responded to the Family Dollar, located at 2022 N. Graham St reference subject pointing firearm at people in the store. Multiple calls for service came in advising of the same.

Officer E. Johnson (#5448) arrived on scene first and approached the front doors of the Family Dollar when the suspect, later identified as Dominique Horne, emerged from the front doors, with the firearm pointed at Officer Johnson. 

Officer Johnson drew his service weapon and gave verbal commands for Horne to drop the weapon, in which she did and she was taken into custody. 

The firearm Horne had in her possession, Black in color Smith and Wesson M&P .380 auto was seized.

Officers made contact with the store manager, Malik Barnette, who was working the front register at the time of the incident. Barnette advised Horne started threatening another female in the store and then went to her car. 

Barnette went to the front doors to try to lock the doors when Horne returned from her car, holding firearm, pointing it through the front door at him. Barnette advised he told everyone in the store to run to the back and they all did.

Officers spoke to customer in the store, Amiya Ballenger, who advised she heard woman in the store yelling about the Anti-Christ and she grabbed her things and went to the front register. 

Ballenger stated Horne and little girl were sitting on the floor and the little girl looked uncomfortable. Horne then yelled at another woman in line saying "What the fuck are you looking at?" 

Horne and the woman then began exchanging words and began walking up one each other and Ballenger stepped between them. 

Ballenger was then pushed out the way and Horne and the other woman began fighting. Ballenger stated Horne then went to her car and grabbed something and the guy behind the register told everyone that she had gun. 

Ballenger ended up near the register and saw Horne pointing the gun at customers. Horne then walked up to Ballenger and pointed the gun at her. Ballenger stated she crouched down and Horne pointed the gun at her head and then walked away.

Officers also spoke to Renoda Stevenson, who Horne had the physical altercation with. 

Stevenson admitted that her and Horne were punching each other after she felt threatened by Horne. Stevenson also stated that Horne went to her car, retrieved gun, and then returned pointing gun at her and others.

Officers reviewed video footage which showed Horne pointing the gun around the store, while her daughter was running behind her. In the video you can see Ballenger crouching next to the counter and you can see Horne put the gun to Ballenger's head.

Officers conducted probable cause search on Horne's vehicle, 2017 Lexus NX, and located 38g of suspected marijuana (total package weight)in the center console. sheathed Winchester hooked blade was located, concealed, in between the driver seat and center console.

Horne is being charged with Assault on Gov. Official w/ firearm, assault by pointing gun x3, CCW, misd. Possession of marijuana, misd. Child abuse, and armed to the terror of the people.

CMPD Crime Stats Smoke and Mirrors?

Once again we hear that crime is down and perception that crime is bad is unfounded.

Then the  Mayor claims that "By and Large Charlotte is a safe city" yet she has 24/7 police protection despite living in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. 

CMPD just released their 3rd Quarter Crime Stats, But are the numbers real?

CMPD, using their own numbers, their own data base, distilled down to, one homicide, one event, one crime. 

Except their are two victims.

Anilkumar Patel and Pankaj Patel. 

Two shootings.

Two dead bodies. 

Reported as 1 crime. 

Should we trust CMPD numbers?

I've got questions.

I know what you're thinking - well, its an honest mistake a one off, an outlier, right?

Nope two murders equal one crime.

Gabriel Jacob Lee and Colby Cash Smith same thing months earlier.

200 North Caldwell the night of July 5. Both shot to death just minutes apart.

CMPD data says July 4, 2025. Even though CMPD press release says July 5, 2025.

But that's being picky. Right?

Again One Crime

But crime is down unless you live, work or play Uptown where murders are up 200%

The perception is that crime is out of control and that liberal judges and a liberal DA have turned Charlotte into a hellscape of crime. 

These numbers don't help the perception.