CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -The intersection of Trade and Tryon is a visible community flash point, whenever a major event is held in Center City Charlotte.
Next week busy uptown will be the host for Food Lion's Speed Street, and already a security plan is in the works, and it's not the average safety plan from CMPD.
Once again, volunteers plan to be posted throughout the event in Orange T shirts.
They are representing Men Who Care Global.
Willie Ratchford of the Community Relations Committee is among the volunteers.
"We don't see ourselves as police officers. We don't see ourselves as public safety officers, "he said." We just see ourselves as having a calming effect, and to make it known to young people there are options available to you."
The group has been lending a hand since last Fourth of July and has been embraced along the way from uptown organizations.
Robert Krumbine is with Center City Partners, and applauds past efforts.
He said, "They were back again on New Year's Eve, and it was fantastic. We saw a real drop off in the dumb things that go on the street."
City Attorney Bob Haggeman was one of the authors behind Charlotte's Enforcement of Extraordinary events.
In short, people are being asked not to bring certain items uptown.
Among the items; backpacks that could conceal weapons, sharp or bladed objects, pepper spray or mace.
"These are events that attract large crowds, and we believe there are certain items that have no business being in a setting with a large crowd," Haggeman said.
Maintaining a sense calm is the desired effect of who are assigned to Center City streets during big events, and from street corners many volunteers from Men Who Care Global are showing up at local classrooms to keep tabs on the young people the meet.
Ratchford said, "Anywhere from 10 to 20 men from our group meet with these men to help them sort of develop life plans for themselves."
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