Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is cracking down on street takeover groups.
In previous incidents, these groups have shut down various intersections, taking part in racing & other reckless driving acts, police say.
According to a statement by CMPD, on Nov. 18 and 19, officers conducted stops at numerous locations in the Charlotte area. The total operation resulted in the following:
- 27 stops
- 32 violations cited
- 3 arrests
- 8 criminal charges
- 3 firearms seized
- 2 vehicles seized
- $579 seized
- 517.5 grams of marijuana seized
Police say two suspects were charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession with intent to distribute and felony fleeing to elude.
Ongoing issue
Early this month, the department released a statement that it had received 911 calls about the street takeovers.
On Oct. 29, at 12:24 a.m., officers responded to a call about street takeovers at Tyvola and Park Road. When they arrived on scene, they saw a group of cars that had blocked the intersection drive away.
As part of a CMPD policy, officers did not pursue, police said.
Another incident occurred on Oct. 29, around 11 p.m. The department received a call about a crowd fight at the intersection of Steele Creek Road and Westinghouse Boulevard.
When officers arrived on scene, they saw hundreds of individuals running and driving erratically.
After clearing the intersection, officers spoke with a victim who claimed his vehicle was hit with small blunt objects. Police said no firearms or gunfire were reported.
An officer took a report for damage to property and one person was cited from the incident for reckless driving.
Strategy to address the issue
In October 2020, the department began receiving complaints from residents about an increase in street racing and reckless driving in and around Charlotte.
In 2021, CMPD, in partnership with neighboring policing agencies, launched an investigation to address the issue. Over the course of nine months, investigations resulted in 55 indictments, 30 more charged via warrant or citation, and 65 cars seized in June of 2021.
The operation resulted in 2,500 traffic stops and 3,500 violations so far, according to the department.
“The CMPD does not take this issue lightly and discourages any kind of aggressive or reckless driving,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
The department is requesting the public’s help in reporting public safety issues. Anyone who sees these groups driving recklessly and behaving erratically is asked not to engage but instead call 911.
Tips can also be reported anonymously to Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Why don’t they patrol more instead wanting the pple to do it for them if course I’ll report crime but dang use those for you drive them for patrolling come back to the neighborhoods