WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Debate over Howie Acres road barricades divides neighborhood

Debate over Howie Acres road barricades divides neighborhood

By Brigida Mack - email

 Charlotte, NC (WBTV) – The debate over whether to keep barricades up in one north Charlotte community has left the neighborhood divided.  WBTV first told you Charlotte Mecklenburg police put up barricades in the Howie Acres community this summer in response to the community's rampant drug problem.

"Before, I didn't let my children come outside," recalled LaTonya Taylor about how differently life was in the neighborhood before the barricades were put up. "A lot of people act like they didn't see," she said. "I saw what was going on…drugs, prostitution…right in front of my door."

Drug trafficking has dropped 30 percent, police say, but some neighbors want them taken down. Others are in favor of keeping them up but afraid of retaliation if they speak up. In fact, many of those who like what the barricades haven't done wouldn't talk on camera to WBTV reporter Brigida Mack.

Officers went door-to-door tonight handing out surveys to find out how the neighborhood feels. Officer Brad Dunn said while the future of the barricades is uncertain--one thing isn't. "We're still going to be in the neighborhood doing our job, policing and trying to make the streets safe," he said. Taylor believes they finally are. "I feel like I'm living in a cul-de-sac now," she said. "My kids can go out and ride their bikes in the street."

Police also told us 90% of the 250 home community have received the survey. They hope to have the results sometime next month.

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