CMPD: Charlotte is a safer city, but there’s work to be done

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings said according to its End-Of Year Report for 2021, Charlotte is a safer city.

CMPD found overall crime is down 5% compared to 2020.

Documented police interactions are up 4% from 2020. Total arrests are down 4%, violent crime arrests are down 3%, and gun seizures are up 33%. Homicides have also plummeted.

“We are up 33% in illegal gun seizures . . . compared to 2020 based on 2021 numbers,” said police chief Johnny Jennings.

“That translates to 3,000 illegal guns we’ve taken off the street.”

CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings said according to its End-Of Year Report for 2021, Charlotte is a safer city.

Monday night, CMPD brought their 2021 crime findings to the Charlotte City Council. Nearly every member applauded their efforts.

“I think that Charlotte represents the very best...I don’t know another city that has had a reduction in crime this year,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

“Thank you for all the progress that’s been made both in trying to reduce crime in our community but also making sure we’re improving the interactions between officers and citizens,” added Councilman Larken Egleston.

The Police Chief highlighted a number of programs that went into the effort to combat violence.

In 2021, CMPD created the Crime Gun Suppression Team - a team of detectives - to stop gun violence, go after criminals, and make cases for those arrests. Jennings says, they arrested 162 subjects and recovered 23 stolen firearms in 2021.

CMPD also opened a de-escalation training facility that allows officers to be put in nearly real life situations.

However, concerns from council members included a 19% rise in rapes, violence on the roads, and juveniles with guns.

Chief Jennings said violence among kids and in schools like CMS is a top priority.

“I work closely with Superintendent Winston...we both have the same goal in mind: to make sure that we create a safe environment for our kids to be able to go to school,” he said.

CMPD has put multiple initiatives together like specialized officer training, community education and Campus Crime Stoppers in order to combat this.

Jennings said another focus will be recruitment.

“Particularly, as we forecast for the next few years, the importance of being able to recruit and retain as we look for big jumps in retirement,” he explained.

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