CMPD Takes Down Weed Smoking Bojangles Employee

CMPD Officers went hands on in Steele Creek Monday and in the process attracted a fairly large audience. It didn't take long for the cell phone video to show up on youtube. 

Beyond the usual comments and even race baiting Attorney Benjamin Crump, the media rush to judgment was predictable, which was met with a weak push back from CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.

And now there's more Bo Time

Jennings' comments came one day after he issued a statement about the incident which he called, "hard to watch." 

And just for good measure Corine Mack, the president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP, said the video immediately took her back to previous violence incidents involving police. "It was triggering," Mack said Tuesday. "It reminded me of George Floyd and immediately I began to weep."

The video, which went viral on Instagram, shows at least four CMPD officers restraining the woman on the ground while a fifth officer was punching her multiple times. It happened just after 2 p.m. Monday near the intersection of South Tryon Street and West Arrowood Road. 

And Bo Time No. 3

Jennings also confirmed CMPD's attorney has filed a petition with the court to release any body camera footage related to the incident. In North Carolina, a police officer's body camera video cannot be released without a judge's authorization. 

"I watched the body worn camera footage and believe that it tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media," Jennings wrote in his statement on X. "The public deserves to view this footage as well."

Jennings has asked the community for patience during the investigation.

"Let's not lose sight of the big picture," Jennings said.

Christina Pierre

Christina Pierre was charged with assault on a government official resisting and simple possession. And was as you have come to expect released on an unsecured bond.

Cedar's Take:

Sure the optics look bad. Maybe next time just tase her happy ass to get compliance. 

But if I was the CMPD Steele Creek Division I'd say "stand down" give South Tryon a 72 hour breather withdraw and let "da Creek" fend for itself! 

Starting 2am Friday and maybe go back to responding to calls for service say 2am Monday. 

Seriously we need to look at the this from both directions first why are we enforcing laws against weed, second why the truck are you smoking weed at a bus stop and then giving the police a hard time about it?

I also know the Bojangles has been a hot spot for sometime and I'd expect CMPD to put the squeeze on anyone breaking the law. Just the same they are going to video you and post it so that the race baiting wackos like Corine Mack and say it looked just like George Floyd. Just let Steele Creek go to dirt. 

CMPD Goes Street Slang To Battle Drug Overdoses

CMPD goes all in on their new anti drug campaign that draws upon slang phrases like “no cap” and “sus” to target the message to younger individuals and their families. 

Cedar's Take:

I'm up for whatever helps, as long as if it doesn't work let's not wait to shitcan the concept and go back to busting heads and locking up drug dealers. 

According to CMPD the main goal is to prevent overdose deaths through education and to spark conversations within an impressionable audience that is unaware of the prevalence and risks of fentanyl-laced drugs. The social media hashtag for this campaign is #StreetPillsKill.

In 2023, CMPD has reported a 20% increase in confirmed fatal overdoses compared to this time in 2022, totaling 179 deaths. The majority of these deaths (60%) are individuals under 40-years-old.

CMPD’s campaign includes printed and digital materials with various slang phrases coupled with statistics and warnings for Charlotte citizens. Resources, tips for parents and a list of secured drop box locations for people to safely dispose of drugs is listed at street-pills-kill.com. The drop-off locations include CMPD headquarters at 601 East Trade Street, the Matthews Police Department and the UNC Charlotte Police Department, as well as many local pharmacy locations. 

So far in 2023, CMPD’s Vice Unit has seized approximately 75 pounds of suspected fentanyl. CMPD will continue to make drug seizures and target criminals who are making and distributing dangerous counterfeit pills. However, the Department needs the public’s help to understand the risks and dangers and to protect themselves and their loved ones from making fatal mistakes.

For more on CMPD’s campaign please visit: https://street-pills-kill.com/

Multiple reports of indecent exposures on south Charlotte greenway

 October 29, 2023 From WCNC:

In the last 48 hours, CMPD said they've had a slew of calls about the man exposing himself in front of others in the public area. 

Angel Kuchinski walks the greenway all the time and said it's a situation that's personal.

“I’m just concerned because there are a lot of young girls," Kuchinski said. “It’s the first thing I thought about. It happened to me when I was 10 years old and I’ll never forget it.” 

CMPD said it is aware of the issue and sent WCNC Charlotte the following statement: 

"CMPD’s goal is for residents and visitors in our community to be able to safely enjoy all of the parks and greenways that the city has to offer. Officers actively patrol greenway access points, parking lots and trails utilizing dual sport motorcycles, bicycles, ATVs and utility vehicles. CMPD also partners with the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department to increase security and visibility with maintenance crews and park patrols. 

Additionally, CMPD’s Public Affairs Office has released multiple awareness videos to the public that include tips and important safety information for greenway and park visitors. We ask that you please follow the tips that we have provided."

Sexual assaults and indecent exposure reports are not uncommon for Mecklenburg County greenways. In the past three months CMPD has addressed a slew of investigations on greenways, including two at McAlpine Creek Greenway -- one in July and one in August.

Three Arrested After Chase on I-85

Three thugs steal a car in Charlotte and go on a multi county crime spree. They made one big mistake getting arrested outside of no cash bail Mecklenburg County.

Here's David Whisenant's report:

By the way local media types might take notice. Whisenant is old school "just the facts ma'am" reporting is top shelf. Pure news no fluff and error free.

Three men from Charlotte each faces a long list of charges after they were arrested following a pursuit on I-85 in Rowan and Davidson counties on Friday morning.

According to the report, the incident began when a China Grove Police officer attempted to stop a gray Honda Civic on I-85 near mile marker 71 just after 2:20 a.m. The officer said the license tag on the Honda was obscured.

As he attempted to stop the car, the officer said the driver, now identified as Cortez Quandaz Springs, 23, sped away going north.

A deputy with the Rowan Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit. He reported that the driver of the Honda was driving recklessly, making frequent lane changes, weaving in and out of traffic, and that the driver turned off the Honda’s lights in an attempt to get away.

Deputies say the Springs make a sudden exit off I-85 at exit 79, went up the ramp, traveled across the road ignoring the stop sign, then drove across to the entrance ramp and got back on I-85 headed north.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol joined the pursuit as it headed into Davidson County.

Deputies say that the driver of the Honda sped through a construction zone where workers were on the job, knocking over several barrels in the road.

Springs then got off I-85 at exit 103 near Thomasville and turned right on Highway 109. As he attempted a turn onto Lee Road, deputies say Springs crashed the car into a ditch.

A Rowan Sheriff’s deputy who responded with a K-9 to that scene had to grab the dog and jump out of the way when the Honda rolled backwards down an embankment. The Honda struck the patrol car. No injuries were reported.

After a foot chase through the woods, the three men were apprehended.

Charges:

Springs was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting/obstruct/delay, drug possession, failure to stop for lights/sirens, felony flee to elude, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Timajia Lamonta Martin, 23, was charged with drug possession, resist/obstruct/delay, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a stolen firearm.

A’vonne J’rell Williams, 22, was charged with resist/obstruct/delay, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony larceny, conspiracy, and drug possession. 

All remain in the Rowan County jail.

The driver Springs has a long history of drugs, weapons and other violent crimes. 

Convicted on a 2020 armed robbery charge just last month he was given just 24 months probation. 

Timajia Martin has nearly a dozen Mecklenburg County arrests, with convictions for AWDWISI in Mecklenburg County and AWDW GOV OFFICER in Union County.

Martin was also only given 24 months probation in both cases.

A’vonne J’rell Williams just another long history of drugs, weapons and violent crimes with six arrests in Mecklenburg County. 

Williams was recently convicted in Mecklenburg county and wait for it..... was given just 24 months probation. 

Taco Bell "Quédate el cambio, animal asqueroso"

No Bueno from the once great local paper:

A disgruntled Taco Bell customer is accused of critically injuring an employee in a dispute that began in the drive-thru line, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. 

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Taco Bell at 8812 Albemarle Road in east Charlotte, officials said. 

A suspect is in custody, police said in an update. “Witness statements indicate that after ordering food, the suspect became aggressive in the drive-thru when he believed he had been given an incorrect amount of change,” CMPD said in a news release. 

“The suspect proceeded to leave the drive-thru and come inside the restaurant where he became more aggressive, produced a firearm and began shooting inside the restaurant. The suspect fled the scene.”

One employee suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, police said. The identity of the victim has not been released. 

Detectives identified a suspect and he was arrested at his home without incident, CMPD reported on an Oct. 1 update. 

MCLENDON, DOLL ANDREWS

According to CMPD, the suspect in this case has been identified as Doll Andrew McLendon (DOB: 10/30/1955). 

He is charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury & Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property.

He is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.

"Quédate el cambio, animal asqueroso" translation:

Keep the change ya filthy animal!

Ed Driggs (is) The Problem With Re-Zoning (Opinion)

Over the past several months I’ve heard from many supporters of our Charlotte City Council District 7 Representative Ed Driggs. I’ve also heard from dozens of citizens who are not exactly fans of Mr. Driggs. 

Charlotte City Council District 7 Member Ed Driggs

But rather than just hyperbole, here are some facts:

In the last five years Ed Driggs has basically run unopposed in a strongly republican district, (he is unopposed again this year barring a legitimate write in candidate) yet he has raised $188,442.00 in campaign donations over the last five years according to NC State Board of Elections Records. 

Of the reported funds raised, as much as 70% came from individuals within Charlotte's real estate and property development industry.

The names of contributors read like the who’s who of Charlotte’s, most successful real estate investment firms and affiliated companies. Names like Fred Klein, Peter Pappas, Daniel Levine, Johnny Harris, and real estate attorneys like Bailey Patrick, Richard Vinroot, and John Carmichael who represents the Gillespie Property developers RK Investments, LLC. 

In fact, RK Investments, LLC (the developers behind the Gillespie Property rezoning request) have made frequent almost yearly contributors with funds received from principles Russell Ranson, Neil Kapadia, and others during the period of 2018-2022.  

Noticeably absent, however are contributions from those associated with RK Investments, LLC during the current (2023) election year, which is understandable as the optics would be somewhat unattractive. 

However, a contribution from Landworks Design Group, PA the lead design firm hired by RK Investments, LLC on the Gillespie Property stands out on the 2023 list of contributions as if the take the place of RK Investments..

 

In fairness there is nothing wrong or illegal with any Charlotte citizen, including developers contributing to a Charlotte City Council candidate’s campaign. 

However, when the council member refuses to commit to a no vote, and continuously stresses some sort of compromise even in the face of overwhelming opposition (more than 14,000 have signed the petition asking for a NO VOTE) to a project from a solid base of neighborhood taxpayers and citizens, something is strikingly wrong. 

If you're just an average taxpayer in Charlotte you need to understand, Mr. Drigg's continued support of the Gillespie project is simply saying not only does your voice not matter, but in fact you have no voice at all because you haven't paid for it.

Rather than pushing his "compromise" agenda on behalf of RK Investments, LLC Mr. Driggs needs to firmly commit to a NO VOTE and press other council members even the democrats for a NO VOTE as well. Anything less than 100% opposition and commitment to seeing that this proposal is defeated is disingenuous at best and clearly a failure to represent his neighbors the voters who reside in District 7.

Chip Starr

You wanna hear a prison story? Amiri King

In Kentucky, before you go to PRISON prison, you go to a place called the Roederer farm for classification. It’s right by the reformatory. And yes. It’s very much a prison as well. 

You go there to have your security level assessed and they eventually decide what prison you are going to. It’s a mix of everybody, from petty thieves to stone cold killers. 

One time in the middle of the night, the doom squad rushed in the wing and snatched up the guy on the bunk next to me. They took him away. He had the fucking death penalty and somehow fell through the administrative cracks. 

So one day they bring in this guy that I recognized from school. A guy named Tim. I went to Buechel Metropolitan in Louisville Kentucky. The most dangerous school in the entire state. 

You get sent there as punishment if you brought a gun to a public school, or had gang affiliations, sold drugs, got into fights, etc. 

Well Tim went there too (for reasons unknown to me) and that’s how I knew him. 

So Tim gets put in our wing and we start chopping it up for a couple of days. Played a lot of chess. I was young. Only 18. The older cats knew I was a ‘fish.’ A term used for someone serving their very first prison sentence. 

Tim was a fish as well. He was a pale, hefty, awkward kind of guy. On the nerdy side. He wasn’t a street motherfucker is what I’m saying. 

We were both fish and naivety was par for the course. Sometimes your inexperience could get you a pass from some of the ‘old numbers.’ Sometimes it didn’t. 

Well. One day someone stole Tim’s lock off his locker. Tim had A LOT of commissary. 

He had a very supportive grandmother on the outside. He came to me and was freaking out that someone stole his lock. He feared he was about to get robbed. I said, ‘here man,’ and took the lock off my locker and gave it to him. 

I said, ‘put this on your shit. I don’t have much to take.’ And he put it on his shit. 

Later on that day I was in the shower. These two big street motherfuckers named Bobby Bottoms and Joel Sanchez ran up on me. Yes. In the shower. Bobby was a big son of a bitch. Joel was too. Bobby was a clean cut guy with tattoos all over the place. A real street motherfucker from a tough Louisville neighborhood called Portland. 

Bobby looked at me, pissed, with daggers coming out of his eyes and said, ‘get your fucking lock off that locker NOW. You have no idea what the fuck you are doing.’ Affirmative. 

I grabbed my towel, I dried off, got dressed, and I went to Tim. I told him I needed my lock back. He took it off his locker and handed it to me and that was that. 

I won’t say what happened after that, but let’s just say Tim drove a bus for special needs adults and had sexually abused some of them and everybody knew but me. 

They handed out justice ‘A La inmate’ and I never saw Tim again. 

Later that same night, in the dark prison wing, I heard someone behind me sneaking up to my bunk. I turned around and it was Bobby Bottoms. All I could see was his silhouette but there was no mistaking this motherfucker. He looked at me and whispered, ‘Lesson number one. Mind your fucking business. That’s your first lesson, and that one was for free.’ 

I never forgot that.

(Photo circa 1998, my mother and I on visit at Northpoint ‘the point of no return.’)

Cedar's Take: Amiri King is a mess. And yet he posts some crazy sh*t. To say he's been around is an understatement. He's an undiscovered talent. If someone was smart they'd give him an hour slot on cable post late night. He'd wipe the floor with someone like Trevor Noah or Seth Myers.'Not Kidding. If I was 20 years younger I'd bank roll the project myself. I know people well not people like Amiri knows.