NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods

Minutes for NorthEast Coalition - April 20, 2008

Minutes - for the NorthEast Coalition - April 20, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Claire Green-Fallon at 3:10; followed by the invocation given by Chief Darrel Stephens.

The minutes from the last meeting were held in abeyance.

At 3:12, the president introduced Chief Stephens, Captain Lester and Captain Leonard.  The Chief spoke about crime in our neighborhoods.  He asked the question of what can be done to decrease our chances of becoming a victim.  One way is by being more vigilant of our surrounding. 

A). Substance abuse - trying to get a handle on that since it's highest challenge is repeat offenders (300 crimes a year).  Why would the repeat offenders be released back into society?  Need more court room space, more prosecutors, and more jails to houses repeat offenders.

B). So far this year crime is up, in the last 12 years crime was down

C). Communities need to take more responsibility

D). There are more folk calling the police than ever before

The Chief thanked the NEC for the invitation.  The next speaker was Captain Lester.  Captain Lester spoke on the following issues:

A). Crime: residential burglaries - as of April 13, 249 versus last year this time.

• MO: knocking on front door (ringing bell) when there is no answer they go to the back door and kick in the door.
• 2 to 3 suspects in a car.
• No area of Charlotte is immune from this type of crime. It appears to be moving to nicer well-kept neighborhoods (Myers Park, Dilworth).
• What can you do: Invest in a good alarm system with cell back up (must be turned on to work)
• If your home and someone comes to the door, answer it, but don't open the door.
• Hide your valuables in a safe
• Be a good neighbor and create a neighborhood watch
• Never confront a suspected burglar
• Call 911 if you see anything unsettling in your neighborhood
• Larceny from autos: 735 versus 449 last year this time
• MO - Public parking lots, (hotels, shopping centers and fitness centers), apartment complexes, GPS, loose change, laptops, checkbooks, and credit cards

What can you do - Always lock you car doors and roll up the windows, never leave valuable items in you vehicle, remove items such as telephones, ipods, purses, briefcase, backpack, cash, when you leave the vehicle.  Always park in a well lit area at night, park vehicle in the driveway rather than the street and consider a car alarm for added protection.

Captain Leonard of the North Division:

Located on the other side of Sugar Creek, Mount Holly Road to Huntserville Road. 

Captain Leonard stated that last year car break-ins were up 40%.  This year car break-ins are down 2%.

• - Property break-ins up this year
• - Biggest difference is community involvement
• - Robbery down 8%
• - North is not strong where you have crime against person
• - Assaults are down
• - Commercial burglary is up
• - Some repeat offenders
• - Hot spots, North Lake Mall, Sunset Road and Wal-Mart
• - Don't leave anything of value in your car
• - Neighbors needs to get more involved
• - Change in staffing - 3 more officers will be added to the roster in May. By mid-June a total of 7 will be added
• - A day-time curfew has also been talked about. Working with CMS to help with the problems
• - Hold parents accountable
• - Solution or ordinances

After talks by the Captains, Mike Aufrecht, Treasurer for the NEC presented the Chief with a plaque for his dedication and service to Charlotte.  

The president then introduced 6 local candidates running for office:  Those candidates were:  Rep Sanders, Harold Cogdell, Judge Todd Owens, John Totten, Gary Henderson, and Nick Mackey.

The second meeting started at 4:10.

Minutes from the last meeting were held in abeyance

A resolution was the only open item on the agenda. That resolution was:

In view of the fact that there is unequal distribution of mixed income section of less expensive apartments and housing and groups homes in Charlotte.  The NEC propose that the City of Charlotte spend more money for land in the under represented area of Charlotte.  So there is more equal distribution of aforementioned housing and the responsibility is more equally shared and distributed.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

No further business, motion to adjourn the meeting of April 20, 2008 at 4:30 P.M.  Seconded.  All approved.  Motion carried.  ALL AYES.;