| Mission Statement
Neighbors For A Safer Charlotte is a non-partisan, non-profit grassroots coalition of neighborhoods and citizens partnering with civic and business leaders to improve the safety of our community.
EVENTS
- SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION - BEAR WITH US!
THANK YOU
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NEWS
- City asks for stimulus money to pay for 125 new police officers, but what happens if Charlotte is denied the funding? Does Charlotte have a back-up plan? And - Do we need more police officers?
For the past ten years, Charlotte has fallen behind the national average on the number of police officers to citizens population. Each year as our city grows in both numbers and geographical boundries, a stagnant number of offices are required to cover more territory and respond to more calls for service. In the least, we would like to see the number of officers serving the civilian population be on par with the national average.
Charlotte is becoming known as a hub of organized gang activity: Over 150 local and international gangs operate from Charlotte, including some known for ruthless violence. Only with stepped up police presence and resources can we expect law enforcement to get ahead of gang activity and establish our city as one that presents a difficult environment for gangs to operate. We need more police officers in Charlotte - reported reduction in crime from month to month should do nothing to belay a sense of security.
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NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR
A new section dedicated to connecting neighborhoods
Share efforts to reduce crime - send us your article!
Meet Wendy, Spring Valley Neighborhood (South Division)
Pockets of people dedicated to a safer Charlotte abound in our city. Some of us live in neighborhoods in private gated communities, with signs at entrances, organized neighborhood associations, active citizen watch groups, and off-duty patrols.
Some of us don’t. Some of us live in small, older neighborhoods without organized groups, amidst divisions and disconnections, transience, and apathy. From wherever we find ourselves emerging, some of us are infused with a burning purpose to create an active community that cares about one another in order to combat the grip of crime that has overtaken us. We are all integral parts of our city and have the right to live without fear of being victimized. It takes a committed effort from us all to insist on it!
Some of us are devoted, sole crusaders who volunteer to take up the sword and work tirelessly to create networks that connect neighbor to neighbor. We knock on doors, appeal for help, collect e-mail addresses, and stay up late shooting out alerts and information to those on our lists. We doggedly and singly show up for meetings with local and state officials, work to change ineffective laws, plead for funds for our broken justice system, carry signs, establish relationships with local area police officers, develop neighborhood-to-neighborhood networks sharing vital community news, while trying not to be discouraged by the time and effort, or the lack of response, interest or change. Some of us won’t give up. The stakes are way too high!
I am that “Little Red Hen,” in a small segment of my neighborhood in South Charlotte, and the sky has fallen. I’m sure I irritate my neighbors with too much e-mail, from peppy to persistent; bug them incessantly about turning on property lights at night; nag them about notifying each other and the police when something occurs; and preach about being another set of watchful eyes around the neighborhood. I walk a fine line between annoying and inspiring; but the passion is taking root, and a communal spirit is springing to life where once there was none.
What’s the formula for success? “Participation + support = action!” It’s commonplace to let “George” do it, but we all need to be foot soldiers in this ongoing battle. If there is a hole in the armor, crime will inflict a dangerous wound.
By expanding our security network and fine-tuning it, hopefully, our connections will produce greater participation and positive results. These are worthwhile goals for 2009! All of us must band together with our unique ideas and talents if we are to thwart our common nemesis, crime.
Wendy R. Kaplan
The Spring Valley Neighborhood
South Charlotte
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Do you feel that the city and county is doing enough to keep your family safe?
Mecklenburg County is expected to grow by another 44% in the next ten years, yet the ratio of police officers to residents has dropped 24% since 1999. We will continued to be ignored by the state if we do not speak up and insist that our local officials represent our needs in Raleigh. Keeping citizens safe - what should be higher on their agenda?
Together we can be a vocal force for change. It is time to hold our city leaders and state officials accountable. Join NSC and get to know your neighbors - together we can make Charlotte a safer place to live and work!
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