What is the real crime story in Charlotte ? (Durham, Washington: violent crime, college)

[mm34b]

The FBI considers their crime data pretty meaningless for the purpose of geopolitical comparison without taking into consideration the distinct differences of the two comparison areas such as, population density and the degree of urbanization, modes of transportation of highway system, economic conditions, average population age and citizens' attitudes toward crime.

[neoflex]

Originally Posted by steffinnz

Hi All. New here. Thinking about moving to Charlotte from the DC area. I wanted to put in my 2 cents worth about all that are worried about the crime in Charlotte. IMO, No, you cannot compare the crime in Charlotte with the crime in places like NYC, LA or DC. Of course not. But.....I think one of the reasons people are relocating from these areas is to get away from heavy crime. So, most are looking for a nice, quiet city with a low crime rate. From what I have been reading, it doesn't seem to have a low crime rate. So what' s the point of leaving a city like DC (or NYC, LA, ect.) with a much higher pay scale (and more job opportunities) and moving somewhere like Charlotte if I am going to have to deal with tons of senseless crime anyway???

I think most people moving to the area are not running away from high crime in their hometowns but I think you will probrably find most are running from high cost of living that seems to be getting worse and worse in places like NY and CA, and just the typical everyday hussle and bussle of these places.

[arcadefire]

Originally Posted by neoflex

I think most people moving to the area are not running away from high crime in their hometowns but I think you will probrably find most are running from high cost of living that seems to be getting worse and worse in places like NY and CA, and just the typical everyday hussle and bussle of these places.

I think eventually taxes are going to have to go up here as well to build more jails, hire more judges, hire more police and Prosecuters in order to try to get a grip on the high levels of crime in Charlotte.

Most criminals know that unless they are actually caught in the act of stealing they will get away with the crime. Why? Because the police don't even bother to investigate most property crimes, due to understaffing.

Until crime is taken more seriously by elected officials the only way most people will be able to live in relative peace is to continue paying for the security through higher housing expenses in gated communities.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by muse1110

I've wondered about crime in Charlotte, too. When I look at Money Mag/CCN Best Places to Live 2006, Charlotte by comparison is worrisome.

For example, the 'Best Places' average for Personal Crime Risk is 45. 100 is national average, lower is better.

What is Charlotte? 214.

Property Crime Risk is 74 for Best Places average (again, 100 is nat'l average).
Charlotte? 209.

Personal crime incidents per 100,00: 228 is Best Places average, Charlotte is 1,077.

And Property Crime incidents are twice the Best Places average: Charlotte is 6,667, Best Places average is 3,105.


Even with all the caveats and disclaimers about the criteria for these stats, Charlotte is not looking good.

Don't even get me started on Air Quality Index and school performance!

MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2006: Charlotte, NC snapshot

I concur with you 100%, and have brought this up to my side of the family that was born and raised here. They continually downplay the crime, as many people in this area do. Blinders are not attractive. They told me to "quit" watching the news....huh????? Why wouldn't I want to watch the news when knowing full well I'm making a decision about buying a home/condo something to live in full time. Of course I'd want to know about a neighborhood etc. They still just brush it off. Well I don't. I decided not to stay in NC, or the Charlotte area. Just not my cup of tea. I'm not saying where I'm moving to is the Garden of Eden and it's not that I'm naive and don't expect crime to happen there too, but I DO KNOW, the crime is a heck of a lot less than Charlotte. I'm close to retiring, I'm by myself, and safety is my number one criteria for where I live. Don't matter if it's a shiny new house, doesn't matter if it has hard wood floors and granite counter tops, what matters, is, is it safe for me? Charlotte on a whole just didn't fit that criteria for me. It's a beautiful city, but I think they let too many criminals right back out on the street because lack of jail space, and the continual game playing politics between Raleigh and Charlotte, making Charlotte the red-headed step sister too many times.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

I concur with you 100%, and have brought this up to my side of the family that was born and raised here. They continually downplay the crime, as many people in this area do. Blinders are not attractive. They told me to "quit" watching the news....huh????? Why wouldn't I want to watch the news when knowing full well I'm making a decision about buying a home/condo something to live in full time. Of course I'd want to know about a neighborhood etc. They still just brush it off. Well I don't. I decided not to stay in NC, or the Charlotte area. Just not my cup of tea. I'm not saying where I'm moving to is the Garden of Eden and it's not that I'm naive and don't expect crime to happen there too, but I DO KNOW, the crime is a heck of a lot less than Charlotte. I'm close to retiring, I'm by myself, and safety is my number one criteria for where I live. Don't matter if it's a shiny new house, doesn't matter if it has hard wood floors and granite counter tops, what matters, is, is it safe for me? Charlotte on a whole just didn't fit that criteria for me. It's a beautiful city, but I think they let too many criminals right back out on the street because lack of jail space, and the continual game playing politics between Raleigh and Charlotte, making Charlotte the red-headed step sister too many times.

Color me surprised...I thought you would've been in NC for good.

I know that the stat says that crime dropped in Charlotte this year (which is a good thing) but there's still something about living close to a hotbed like the University area or some of the other areas of Charlotte not so desirable. I think it was the week after Christmas where Concord Mills Mall had a rash of car break-ins. There were 15 in Charlotte last Thursday alone. Blame it on the news, blame it on the "if it bleeds it leads", blame it on whatever. It doesn't mask the fact that there's still a LOT of criminal activity going on.

Concord had four murders within the first few months of the year. I'm not sure if that number went up any, I don't believe it did (but I'm open to being wrong). I live about ten minutes north of the Speedway which is spitting distance from the University area. Kudos on the police here on keeping things fairly in check for now.

[Goin2Char]

U guys are freaking me out w/this crime talk. Ive never felt afraid there but perhaps Ive gotten used to suburb living. I

I did hear a freaky story that I will share though:

Some friends were riding home in a cab from a night out in town. One guy in the front seat suddenly went nuts. He was saying he didnt want to go to some party or something. Everyone suddenly realized that not one of them really knew who he was nor why or when he got in the front, I guess they all assumed someone knew him.

When they asked him who he was, he went nuts again screaming and yelling nonsense at them (all in their 20s). At the next stop light, he jumped out, ran around to the back door, opened it and started punching a female. When she screamed and ducked, he reached over and bit a guys ear off.
Yes, true.
The poor guy needs plastic surgery and it screwed him up at work, having to expain what happened to people. The freak ran off and did not get arrested until the next day. He was released of course and may have a court date. O big deal, he'll probably get off. like they dont want to fully commit to any real crime so they act all weird. Then the police almost dont know what to do w/them and let them go.


So, yeah maybe bizarro crime? But I've heard of freaky crime stories in many cities, Geez.

I must say though that I do notice police presence everywhere on almost every block around town and in neighborhood streets.

[Weedydidi]

I've said this on these boards before, but I will repeat it: there is NO police protection here in Charlotte.

I have been a victim of more crime during my life in Charlotte (3 x's in 14 years) than in the 26 previous years in Alexandria, VA and Charleston, SC (0 x's) and when someone tried to break into my home at 3:00 am, it took 25 minutes and 3 calls to 911 before someone showed up!

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

Color me surprised...I thought you would've been in NC for good.

I know that the stat says that crime dropped in Charlotte this year (which is a good thing) but there's still something about living close to a hotbed like the University area or some of the other areas of Charlotte not so desirable. I think it was the week after Christmas where Concord Mills Mall had a rash of car break-ins. There were 15 in Charlotte last Thursday alone. Blame it on the news, blame it on the "if it bleeds it leads", blame it on whatever. It doesn't mask the fact that there's still a LOT of criminal activity going on.

Concord had four murders within the first few months of the year. I'm not sure if that number went up any, I don't believe it did (but I'm open to being wrong). I live about ten minutes north of the Speedway which is spitting distance from the University area. Kudos on the police here on keeping things fairly in check for now.

I'm following you to SC Brian ha ha. I will miss Concord, I will miss being so close to my son and my relatives, but I got to do what's best for me. I finally just learned Concord pretty good, now I'll be learning a new city, and the best? I'll only be 7 miles from work instead of 26 miles. Get's me out of the horrid rush hour traffic. When I first moved here there was hardly a wreck on 49, now? at least 2 times a week. I'm tired of the hour and a half drive.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

I'm following you to SC Brian ha ha. I will miss Concord, I will miss being so close to my son and my relatives, but I got to do what's best for me. I finally just learned Concord pretty good, now I'll be learning a new city, and the best? I'll only be 7 miles from work instead of 26 miles. Get's me out of the horrid rush hour traffic. When I first moved here there was hardly a wreck on 49, now? at least 2 times a week. I'm tired of the hour and a half drive.

If you were really following me you'd be heading north and east. I certainly won't miss 49 either.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by Weedydidi

I've said this on these boards before, but I will repeat it: there is NO police protection here in Charlotte.

I have been a victim of more crime during my life in Charlotte (3 x's in 14 years) than in the 26 previous years in Alexandria, VA and Charleston, SC (0 x's) and when someone tried to break into my home at 3:00 am, it took 25 minutes and 3 calls to 911 before someone showed up!

Let me tell you guys a story, it's what broke Charlotte for me, this was on the news last year. My co-worker's 3 year old son was murdered by her fiance. (Not the childs father) in Charlotte. The murderer took off for California, my co-worker did more to extradite him back to Charlotte than Charlotte did.
At first they were going to charge him with 1st degree murder with a death penalty. But because courts are so crowded here, they kept plea barganing to keep it from having to go to full trial. The victims family has no recourse on this. It ended up him pleading no contest....know what he got?? 1 1/2 years in prison. This man is now home....in Charlotte. A murderer of a baby.
Does he have to do probation? nope not in NC. Does he have to register if he's anywhere near children? nope not in NC.

It made me sick. This is one of your neighbors, somewhere in Charlotte.
A baby's life meant nothing. I will give this to my co-worker she is diligently trying to get some laws changed.