Articles Posted in Charlotte Events

According to a report out of WBTV, the recently released After-Action Report by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police revealed a relatively sedate Democratic National Convention (DNC) took place this year in Charlotte; certainly calmer than authorities had feared.

Charlotte Police consider their presence during the Convention a success, pointing out that there were no major incidents in Center City or any of the other 12 patrol divisions in the department.

This doesn’t mean the festivities went off without a hitch, as there were several demonstrations in the city throughout the week. These gathering did cause a few disruptions of both pedestrians and traffic, but nothing major was reported. Given the huge crowds that descended upon Charlotte for the week, the scant 25 arrests made during the week of the DNC were much less than some feared.

Charlotte police officials have announced that all but one of those arrested lives outside the Charlotte area. Their After-Action Report broke down the arrest incidents, including the number and cause of each. They included:

• 16 arrests for impeding traffic
• 3 arrests for disorderly conduct
• 2 arrests for failure to disperse
• 1 arrest for breaching a police line
• 1 arrest for dispersal of noxious substance
• 1 arrest for carrying a concealed weapon
• 1 arrest for damage to property
The police report credits the overall success of the Convention to the department’s cooperation with the Secret Service as well as a host of other regional emergency operations departments.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officials have said that they will be boosting their jail staff by upwards of 30% and have double or triple the number of magistrates on duty in preparation for a possible huge increase in the number of arrests during the Democratic National Convention.

Local officials have said that as many as 10,000 protesters are expected to arrive in Charlotte if past conventions are a guide. A major protest march currently planned for September 2nd could be the largest in Charlotte’s history. The major march will not be the only event that authorities have to contend with as many other smaller marches and rallies are already planned throughout the week of the convention. As a result, the police have announced a heavy police presence throughout downtown and along protest routes.
Another factor that will complicate matters for police is the recent closure of the uptown arrest processing center. The facility was closed due to scheduled renovations and will not reopen until some time in 2013, too late to be of any use for the DNC. As a result, all those arrested will have to be transported to the Spector Drive center which is located north of town.

In addition to the increase in personnel, there will also be a shift in the way police resources are allocated. Sheriff’s officers will be moved from their posts at the uptown courthouse to increase staffing at other important sites. The Mecklenburg County Courthouse will be open during the week of the convention, but no criminal trials will be held and only a few courtrooms will be operating. Sherriff’s officers will also not be permitted to take vacations during the week of the convention.

At the Spector Drive processing center between two and four magistrates typically work shifts. During the week of the DNC that number will jump to between six and eight. Magistrates too will not be allowed to take days off and everyone will be on call if the need arises for even more staff.
Police have said that they will try to give warnings and allow protestors space to voice their frustration. The focus of arrests will be on individuals where people are being hurt and property is being damaged. Those who pose no danger to others may just be issued citations so officers don’t have to leave their patrol and have valuable time eaten up at the arrest processing center.

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According to a recent report on WISTV, Charlotte police are ready for the thousands of protestors that will surely descend on the city during the Democratic National Convention in early September. The police department has added thousands of officers from outside departments and spent millions on training, equipment and temporary barriers. All that plus the very helpful layout of the city should ensure the police have the upper hand on any rowdy visitors.

The city’s geography should help police as the convention will take place in the heart of the business district which is flat and surrounded by interstate. The police will easily be able to surround and secure protestors should the need arise. Police Chief Rodney Monroe says he’s ready to do what needs to be done to keep the city calm and says that if protestors start agitating people he won’t hesitate to take action.

Charlotte has spent some $50 million in federal money to buy new equipment and train officers. The city sent 100 officers to Chicago during the NATO conference earlier this summer to get a feel for what things might be like when the DNC comes to town. The city will also add some 3,000 officers from outside to help boost its existing force of 1,750 officers. Temporary concrete barriers along with 9-foot-high steel fences will spring up across town and serve as a way to manage crowds at key locations in the city.

More than spending money, the city is passing laws that will allow for a possible crackdown. Charlotte adopted a measure in January of this year that would allow the creation of designated spaces for people to gather during large events and prevent them from carrying backpacks or other items in those spaces. The City Council passed new security rules for what it referred to as “extraordinary events,” a label which has been applied not only to the DNC, but also to shareholder meetings for Duke Energy and Bank of America. The rules will permit searches of backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, and carry-on luggage. Grounds for potential immediate arrest are possession of spray paint, hammers, crowbars, utility knives, padlocks, lumber, and permanent markers.

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