Violent Crime Drops in Charlotte, North Carolina

A Good Thing for a Troubled City

According to new statistics released by the Charlotte Mecklenburg police department at the end of October, violent crime is dropping. The number of violent crimes overall decreased .3%. While homicides have went up overall violent crime has been reduced, compared to this same period in 2007.

Also the number of robberies and rapes decreased dramatically compared to this time last year -- 5% overall -- according to the report. This is helpful for a city that has been in turmoil over the issues in the financial sector. Many worry about the direct hit Charlotte will take from the buyout of Wachovia Corp. and that as unemployment grows so will the number of crimes. These worries are shared by many including retired police officer Robert Seabrooks. He says that in his experience when people get desperate so do their actions. He says he hopes things won't come to that point.

The city of Charlotte has seen a lot of hardships and economic stress with the widespread failing of the banking industry. A industry that Charlotte as a whole is built around. Wachovia its self had its headquarters in Charlotte and occupies 7% of all Charlotte office space and was the second largest employer in North Carolina.

Now as those jobs are moved away or taken else where, Charlotte is facing a over saturation of a skilled workforce in a area with not enough job growth to place them. This lead many to believe that Charlotte would see a large increase in crime, especially violent crime. With the already emerging gang crisis here that was very bad news.

This coupled with the crisis brought about by high food and until recently gas prices made people doubt their security with their job and their home. Hopefully Charlotte's days are going to get better as it seems the worst might be behind us.

As many here will tell you the city has been through worse times and survived. They don't think this will be much different. Andrea Simms has lived here 82 years and she seems optimistic about Charlotte's future saying "Things always have to change sometimes for the worse in order to get better". Words that resonate within the spirit of this city and its people.