What is the real crime story in Charlotte ? (Huntersville: house, safest area)

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by slowlazygc

what a positive answer, that makes me feel so safe now. What progress in 14 yrs... you guys just wow me with your responses.

Not great with a sarcasm meter, are ya.

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by slowlazygc

what a positive answer, that makes me feel so safe now. What progress in 14 yrs... you guys just wow me with your responses.

You're sense of safety begins in your own head- there's nothing that can be said or done on your behalf that's going to change how you consume information, process it and react to it. I'm very serious and don't mean that as a crack on you or an insult.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by thecherif

These stats scare me. Crime is my biggest hesitation in moving to CLT. Even the fact that there are so many threads on this with many passionate responses makes me realize this is a very real issue.

I was reading some of the threads on Steele Creek and walking to Bi-Lo, Walmart etc. How safe is the South Park area considered? Would most women feel safe walking to the Morrowcroft Shopping Center, Philips Place and the South Park Mall? The area struck me as being safe when I visited there this past weekend but without living in the area it is tough to really know. I am leaning toward living in South Park because there is so much with in walking distance...if I am not safe walking around then it defeats the purpose and I might as well return my serach to the burbs.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I can only comment on SouthPark. I feel safe there, even tho there have been situations w/ muggings occasionally. There will be that type of crime in any retail area on occasion (in any city).

I totally understand your concerns. We moved back here five years ago and my feeling was - just choose a safe area - and pay attention. Since I was a child, I was fully aware that there are areas of CLT that one simply avoids. I don't think that is unusual for any metro, tho.

My only concern has been what appears to be (to me) more home invasions in upscale areas. I have an alarm system and will definitely use a firearm if anyone attempts to cross the threshold of my home. However, I have only had one strange incident occur in five years . . . and that was w/ a guy who appeared to be on drugs . . . and was mixed up as to what neighborhood he was in (we assume).

As w/ any city, I just don't go certain places at nite, and frankly, I avoid going out at nite by myself, period. I fully realize I am more cautious than most people. I am in S. CLT, and I stick to that area at nite, and even then, I am aware that criminals sometimes target upscale areas . . . and so I am never complacent. However, I travel and I am cautious no matter what city I am in.

Maybe everyone knows this, so I apologize if it is terribly repetitive, but when I bought this house, I was looking for a house on a cul-de-sac and not near the entrance of the neighborhood. Robbers typically do not choose houses that have poor ingress and egress, as it slows down the process. I also wanted to live near a police station b/c of response times (but I have my doubts this really helped me any, LOL). My point is - I selected my home based on numerous criteria, not the least of wh/ was location w/in the neighborhood so I would lower the chances of a break-in.

I have managed just fine here . . . and I moved from a suburb (of a large metro area) - w/ a an overall crime rating of 37. However, had I not KNOWN these stats, I can honestly say . . . I have had nothing happen in five years that would make me think I was living in an area w/ much of any difference as far as crime.

I know this is only my experience . . . but since you are talking about SouthPark and S. CLT - maybe my experience will have some meaning for you.

[the 7 oh 4]

I live directly across from a police substation Uptown and feel very safe. You would have to be an ignorant fool to cause trouble or static in front of a police station. Although the country is probably full of them, so maybe I better starting looking around a little more. lol!

[AJ1972]

Forgive me, as I'm the one possibly relocating to the area from out of state, but ...... I keep getting nervous about moving here because it seems like so many people think there's a lot of crime here. I value everyone's opinion.
I live in SE Florida. Mind you MIami/Dade has so much crime in areas, and is pretty known for it, but I don't live near that County. Where I live, crime is not really an issue. There are no home invasions in my town, or cars being stolen, or anything like that. I have told people here that we are planning on relocating to the Charlotte area, and I hear (Yes! Even in Florida) "Why would you move there? THere is so much crime there?" Then my husband says to me, "Don't listen to what everyone says, if Charlotte was SO bad, then why are so many people moving there!" Then I do research on the internet and read about crime on the rise there, yada yada yada. I have a friend who recently moved there from the Philadelphia area. I asked her what her opinion was. She said, "Sure there's crime, but coming from Philadelphia, it is way less in Charlotte." She lives in Huntersville. She said, "I think the main crime here is your car being stolen." Well, I'm not used to my car being stolen (it was stolen when I lived in NY many moons ago - I'm from NYC). I'm not used to home invasions. Etc.
I'm getting very confused, and driving my husband crazy......one day we're moving there, one day we're not.
It looks so beautiful there, and I want to get there, but I'm so confused.
Help me out here! What's the truth?
Thanks.

[nkjaws]

Since our old thread was closed I am starting a new one. As I was saying about everyone who claims they are naive to the crime in Charlotte, I am not fearful of crime every where I go and I certainly do not look over my shoulder 24/7. I do, however, avoid going to the local Walmart or Bi-lo as these stores are unsafe and draw a rough crowd. It is not a racial thing either. My neighbors are black and hispanic and they too avoid these stores b/c of the same reasons. Why take the chance of shopping somewhere where you don't even need to be. Rivergate has better security, better lighting and draws a better crowd. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Now for the arguments on is crime as bad as people say it is, it absolutely is. If you don't believe me go to the CMPD website and see for yourself: http://maps.cmpdweb.org/cfs/Default.aspx.

Another point is crime only happens if people stand back and allow it to happen. More people need to be aware of unusual things and we need more backing my local authorities who seem very laxed to me. For example, a few weeks ago my husband saw a robbery in progress in our neighborhood. He called CMPD and was able to give a description of the vehicle and the license plate and what do you think CMPD did? Nothing! They did not even dispatch an officer. So what does that say about the crime problem in Charlotte. We need to take off the revolving door on the local jails and keep these criminals off the streets.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by nkjaws

Since our old thread was closed I am starting a new one. As I was saying about everyone who claims they are naive to the crime in Charlotte, I am not fearful of crime every where I go and I certainly do not look over my shoulder 24/7. I do, however, avoid going to the local Walmart or Bi-lo as these stores are unsafe and draw a rough crowd. It is not a racial thing either. My neighbors are black and hispanic and they too avoid these stores b/c of the same reasons. Why take the chance of shopping somewhere where you don't even need to be. Rivergate has better security, better lighting and draws a better crowd. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Now for the arguments on is crime as bad as people say it is, it absolutely is. If you don't believe me go to the CMPD website and see for yourself: http://maps.cmpdweb.org/cfs/Default.aspx.

Another point is crime only happens if people stand back and allow it to happen. More people need to be aware of unusual things and we need more backing my local authorities who seem very laxed to me. For example, a few weeks ago my husband saw a robbery in progress in our neighborhood. He called CMPD and was able to give a description of the vehicle and the license plate and what do you think CMPD did? Nothing! They did not even dispatch an officer. So what does that say about the crime problem in Charlotte. We need to take off the revolving door on the local jails and keep these criminals off the streets.

Crime is in every medium to large city. Give the CMPD a break. They are understaffed and stretched thin. Everyone wants more police, more this, more that. PAY for it. Everyone wants something for nothing. HIGHER taxes will help put more police on the streets.

Do I want higher taxes. NO! but nothing is free. EVERYONE is opposed to higher taxes but want more services and a safer city. Doesn't make sense.

[nkjaws]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Crime is in every medium to large city. Give the CMPD a break. They are understaffed and stretched thin. Everyone wants more police, more this, more that. PAY for it. Everyone wants something for nothing. HIGHER taxes will help put more police on the streets.

Do I want higher taxes. NO! but nothing is free. EVERYONE is opposed to higher taxes but want more services and a safer city. Doesn't make sense.

Yes it does make sense. If we need higher taxes then we need higher taxes but in the end if someone doesn't get a grip on the crime people will be driven away and then what will be left of this city? It will be a very undesirable place to live. You cannot sit there and honestly tell me to give CMPD a break when they do not respond to calls? Come on, does that honestly sound right to you.

[slowlazygc]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Crime is in every medium to large city. Give the CMPD a break. They are understaffed and stretched thin. Everyone wants more police, more this, more that. PAY for it. Everyone wants something for nothing. HIGHER taxes will help put more police on the streets.

Do I want higher taxes. NO! but nothing is free. EVERYONE is opposed to higher taxes but want more services and a safer city. Doesn't make sense.

2.2 mill - Large City, Can you pay more taxes - NO, Do you want to live safer - NO. Are you willing to get killed - YES. Will you let robbers into your house - YES...

YOUR ATITUDE - Priceless....

[nkjaws]

Originally Posted by slowlazygc

2.2 mill - Large City, Can you pay more taxes - NO, Do you want to live safer - NO. Are you willing to get killed - YES. Will you let robbers into your house - YES...

YOUR ATITUDE - Priceless....

That was CLASSIC!