Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Fire - Government Overreach

Seems Charlotte Fire Department and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal have lost their collective minds over garden gnomes. 

Obviously, everyone should be aware of fire safety. Overcrowded restaurants and bars, movie theaters with blocked exits or sprinkler systems that are uninspected, and fire extinguishers that have not been serviced. Homeless camps with open fires and space heaters in homes. 

All should be priority concerns

Then there are apartments with charcoal grills on balconies or generators in garages which are clearly critical issues affecting fire safety. 

But CFD and the Mecklenburg Fire Marshal have taken these concerns to a new level - garden gnomes. 

Bill Parsons lost his wife last year; she loved garden gnomes. The only trouble is when they moved into a retirement community in Matthews they gave up their garden, trading their Providence Plantation home on a well-manicured 1 acre lot for a two bedroom condo in an upscale retirement community.

Says Bill; "The first thing my wife did was unpack "Edgar" her favorite garden gnome and placed him by our new front door". The couple gave away most of their garden gnomes to family and neighbors when they moved. But Edgar was special, a gift from Bill to his wife of 62 years on their first anniversary.

The move into the Matthews retirement community was a hard choice but as 87-year-old Bill says it was time.

Well, apparently Charlotte Fire noticed that old people like to "fancy up" the area outside of their apartment home doors with just a little something extra. In most cases it's a personal memento or potted plant. Some have Christmas decorations, wreaths, a tiny Santa, or glitter reindeer. 

Some have sundials, or small benches, others have small tables with flowers. A quick survey of one building determined that every one of 18 doors in the 3-story building had some small momento, a personal touch added to the entrance of each senior's home.

But these small items are apparently enough to cause a VIOLATION and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal is threatening fines and jail time for seniors who violate the rules.

(Wait until they find out people in retirement communities feed squirrels.)

In a letter shared with Mr. Parsons Chief Fire Marshal Ted G. Panagiotopoulos states:

Section 315 of the NC Fire Code prohibits combustible storage from being stored or kept within the common means of egress in occupied buildings. This includes furniture, planters, fixtures, and/or any other contents that can be potentially ignited or be exposed to a fire, as this would jeopardize the means of egress and possibly impede occupants from using the common exit areas to evacuate the building.

Section 1031 of the Code also prohibits storage of contents within the means of egress because this creates obstructions or impediments to the building’s designed egress, in case of fire or other emergency. If these furnishings, fixtures, or other contents were not originally approved as part of the design package for these buildings, then these items must be removed from the common areas, therefore I would greatly appreciate if you can advise the residents of the complex that placing or keeping furniture, fixtures, and/or other contents within the common areas of these buildings violates the fire code.

The letter from Panagiotopoulos goes on:

Given the upcoming holiday season and understanding that residents may require some additional time to remove or relocate their contents, I’m approving an extension of time for compliance, which will expire on January 15, 2025, at which time we will conduct a reinspection of these building areas. 

If these contents or items have not been removed from the common areas, we will have no choice but to issue a citation to any resident(s) failing to comply with this directive. A fine of $200 will be issued for each remaining violation.

Cedar's Take:

I get it, the rules are the rules. But these people, most in the final years of their lives, could use a little compassion and joy. 

Most of these residents if not all, have given up their homes to live in a far different place and with that they have given up much of themselves. These small items at their front doors are the last measure of personal freedom before they are confined to a nursing home bed or a cemetery plot.

The idea that the interior corridors of an apartment building should be without anything and each just like the one across the hall seems to be just another government overreach.

Maybe Mr. Parsons needs a new garden gnome outside his front door?

Archdale Drive Ain't What It Used To Be

Friday morning CMPD's Homicide Unit was conducting a homicide investigation in the 300 block of Archdale Drive in the Steele Creek Division.

Having arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m., officers were responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service in the 300 block of Archdale Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim with a gunshot wound. Medic pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.

Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Search Unit processed the scene and the victim in this case was identified as Lashunda Shmicka McLendon, 42yo. 

The CMPD press release stated "The victim’s family has been notified of (his) death."

McLendon it turns out is a woman who was well liked by most accounts. 

Witnesses provided that there was some sort of argument which seemed to quiet down until gunshots were heard.

According to CMPD early Saturday morning Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), Metro Division and Freedom Division located and arrested the suspect.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman, 43yo, was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and interviewed by homicide detectives.

Ebonee Makeesa Rahman Photo Courtesy MCSO

At the conclusion of the interviews, Rahman was transferred into custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Rahman has been charged with, Murder and Possession of Firearm by a Felon.

This isn't Rahman's first rodeo she has a number of priors, convictions and dismissals. Cases in Stanly and Iredell Counties are outstanding. Her arrest in Locust back in May concerns shoplifting and conspiracy She had been free on a $5,000.00 cash secured bond in that case. 

Other convictions reported are for AWDW, DWI Level 5, Assault on an Officer, Possession, and Felony Larceny.

Cedar's Take:

First Incarceration saves lives. Rahman should have been in prison after her second or third conviction.

Second Archdale ain't what is used to be. This is the second homicide in five days. What was once a blue collar and white neighborhood has become just another Charlotte shithole occupied by thugs and hoodrats as well as  hispanics who live 12 to an apartment. 

Once again Charlotte's City Council insistence on providing affordable housing (aka apartments) has made Charlotte a bug light for the vastly undeserable undercase of Americans. 

Watch the next decade as "South Charlotte" continues to shrink. Archdale Drive, South Boulevard at one time was a pretty safe place. Then Charlotte City Council allowed a oversaturation of apartments along Arrowood. Sharon Lakes became "Da Hood" overnight. 

South Charlotte was once considered South of Fairview and west to South Blvd and east to Monroe Road. Now it's East of Park Road and  West of Sardis. 

The wealthy are fleeing South Charlotte for Fort Mill, Weddington and Marvin.

Third PO's come in two sizes those who are a power trip and arrest mainly hot females and those who do just enough to fill out a timesheet and collect a pay check. Had the assigned PO done their job they would have saw that Rahman was locked up back in May.  Absolutely no excuse for not knowing the Rahman was out and about thieving. With probation having another year to run she should have been locked up and put away.

CMPD Baddies?

I seriously don't think posting a list of CMPD 'Baddies" is a bad idea, but on the other hand there will be someone who will have an issue.

Let's approach it this way. I'll post some "baddies" from other departments. If one of CMPD's "finest" wants to endure the comments and step up I'm happy to post.

In the meanwhile say hello to Cape Coral Florida SRO Officer Caroline Busch.

Yeah Yeah I hear you "there's no way she's real". Seriously have I ever lied to you before? 

Have you had enough yet or are you thirsty for more?

Still more?

Answers to your first three questions No, No and definitely No.

Oh and you're welcome.

SouthPark The Next NorthLake?

According to local news sources, the SouthPark Mall Nordstrom store was robbed for the second time in five days.

This of course in the not the first notable crime in SouthPark, but it highlights a troubling trend. SouthPark used to be the goto place for shopping and some pretty good dining options. No more. While it is still better than NorthLake it is not 2005.

The CMPD police report states the latest incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the high-end department store. An initial investigation said that security, described as “asset protection,” was alerted to a group of people concealing items.

While attempting to apprehend them, the group assaulted security, which resulted in minor injuries before the group fled the scene.

The case is being classified as a robbery and assault. There is no description of the subjects or surveillance video at this time. This remains an active investigation.

CMPD is seldom open about pending cases. Only after they have exhausted other avenues do they turn to the public and local news sources to generate leads. 

CMPD's efforts to combat crime and the perception of crime are getting a lot of air time lately. 

12 hour shifts are being demo'd across the city, steady blue lights on all CMPD vehicles are now standard, an accident response unit has been rolled out to handle Charlotte's ever increasing MVA 10-50s and CMPD has abandoned Crime Mapping for their own in house citizen access to crime stats CMPD CRIME Mapper. 

Effort to recruit officers is still a concern, with more than 2 dozen up for retirement in 2025.

The lack of new Officers puts the burden on current Officers. Days off are subject to change some Officers say the only way they can have a day off is to call in sick. 

CPs Take: Its sad when you have to fake the flu when it's your kids high school play off game. Being voluntold to work a Panther's game because David Tepper is a tight ass and won't pay secondary enough to make it worth the effort. 

Finally Cedar Posts and Meckburbia will not be offering a running post "Baddies of CMPD" apologies in advance. 

Wreaths Across America - Lincoln Maine (Updated)

Lincoln Maine has identified 950 local veteran graves they hope to honor this Saturday December 14, 2024.

Mrs. Cedar talked to Officer Becca Peters (Lincoln Police Department) this morning they now have 289 wreaths. Still a long way from 950.

Officer Peter's still needs some help if you can spare $17 and/or share the following link to sponsor a wreath.

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ME0101

Lincoln is typical small town USA. It is also the home of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon the medal of honor recipient portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. 

Gordon graduated from the same Lincoln Maine high school as Mrs. Cedar's mother Mattanawcook Academy. 

It would be awesome if they could raise enough money to place wreaths on each of the 950 area veteran graves this weekend.

The Lincoln PD goal of 950 wreaths is a pretty ambitious could you please help them out.

I've seen this before in Lincoln. The people who call the north woods home don't have a lot of spare capital. There's not a big corporate sponsor who will step in at the last minute. So I'll keep pushing this until they at least get to 950 or time runs out.

Charlotte Body Count

Charlotte has bodies hitting the floor at a pretty steady pace.

According to CMPD  detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducted a death investigation in the 300 block of E. Trade Street in the Central Division.

This location is of course the CATS "transit center" that hell hole covered bus station in Uptown.

From CMPD: 

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, shortly before 4:00 p.m., officers responded to an Assist MEDIC call for service in the 300 block of E. Trade Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unconscious male subject. Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred involving the subject, Strategic Security employees and other nearby civilians. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

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, MEDIC and CFD also responded to assist.

Big Trouble In Small Packages

I'm older and wiser now. But my ex was a 100 pounds of fire breathing trouble. A size zero who I adored and would have done anything for at one time. 

She once dumped a pitcher of beer on a Mac's Speed Shop waitress for smiling at me. Once threaten to slit a guy's throat for having Cobra emblems on a six cylinder single exhaust Mustang. Right there in the parking, was going to kill the guy over a fake ass mustang. Cops came and fortunately I know some people and promised to take her home. 

DWI, Intoxicated and disruptive, totaled my car and more. I bailed her out of jail more times than I can count and appreciate that Roy Wiggins was able to keep her out of prison. At some point we split she took the kid and I ended up sleeping with her mother and then feared for my own life. 

Thankfully she settled down married a nice guy who gave her eight more kids. It was a long time ago but I have the scars to prove it and it seems most of the physical wounds have healed. And I thank God every day for saving me from myself.

It is from this point of self reflection I present these two unrelated perps.

Jese Leigh Carella (Threadgill)

Jese Leigh Carella Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Jese Leigh Carella (aka Jese Leigh Threadgill) is probably someone to stay away from, and while your first inclination might be I can save her that would likely be a life ending choice.

Her most recent arrest includes 9 counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property (yep the entire magazine) 2 counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill, two counts Assault With a Deadly Weapon and Possession of Firearm by Felon from CMPD and a habitual felon warrant issued by Matthews PD.

Her most recent incarceration included 2 years and 9 months for trafficking, and weapons charges. 

As of December 18, 2024 she remained a guest of the McFadden Hilton housed in a comfortable dormitory awaiting another bond hearing this week. But apparently if you have $20,000.00 you can post her bail as an early Christmas gift and take your chances.

Madisyn Amanda Belk

Madisyn Amanda Belk Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Her most recent arrest includes 1 count of Simple Assault with a warrant issued by Mint Hill PD.

Mint HIll Police Affidavit:

Sgt. Freeman responded to 11001 Blair Road reference to a domestic dispute in which the aggressor, Madisyn Belk, was intoxicated an had assaulted her father, Michael Belk. 

Upon arrival Sgt. Freeman observed Madisyn sitting inside a blue pick up parked in the driveway and Michael was standing on the side porch. Sgt. Freeman approached Michael while Lt. Smith stood by with Madisyn. Michael had multiple small lacerations to his hands and arms as well as laceration on his bottom lip. Michael advised that Madisyn attacked him as soon as he got home with no warning. The altercation was captured on home security camera which Sgt. Freeman reviewed with Michael. 

Madisyn was placed under arrest for simple assault.

Apparently Ms Belk was drunk and got into an argument with her father and scratched his lip and arm. 

The responding Mint Hill Sargent felt it necessary to arrest Ms. Belk and take her uptown.

Her long list of priors include nothing notable except a mixture of traffic offenses and under age drinking. I'm not kidding. She's no saint but arresting her for a scratch on her dad's arm just looks bad.

The charges against Ms. Belk were dismissed on March 17, 2025.

Cedar's Take: If you're going to be a hero at least be selective.