CMPD Links Charlotte Crime To Liquor Houses

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CMPD is linking four Charlotte murders and 13 shootings to illegal bars operating out of homes and businesses in the city.

Now CMPD is cracking down on what they call liquor houses in an effort to cut down the violence.

CMPD says as soon as officers shut the businesses down, a new one will pop up somewhere else. Officers say people show up once legal bars close at 2:00am to continue partying.

That’s when the violence starts.

Officers say liquor houses exist all over the city. They’ve investigated 17 makeshift bars that people run out of homes and businesses in the past year.

“This was not an after hours spot,” said Tango.

He would only give WCCB Charlotte his nickname, but he lives at one of the houses police suspect ran an illegal bar off West Boulevard. He says they have family parties there. “It ain’t no money making, no selling, nothing,” said Tango.

CMPD arrested Mary Johnson for selling alcohol without a permit after four people were shot there on October 10th. “Those particular people was not invited, and so, they got upset,” said Tango.

Police have arrested 13 suspected operators and evicted four others because they trace shootings and murders back to the suspected liquor houses.

“They don’t have to follow rules. They can stay open late, and they’re not having to check IDs,” said Sgt. Mike Ford.

On North Hoskins Road, police arrested Dino Reed for operating a liquor house after two murders there during Labor Day weekend.

At a Fairwood Avenue building in the popular South End neighborhood, police say they found another unlicensed bar after a murder on New Years Day.

On Bost Street, neighbors say cars lined the roads, strangers were in and out all hours of the night, and four people were shot before police closed it down.

Families next door remember the fear at  night. They asked we hide their identities.

“They need to close all of them down,” said one neighbor. She tells WCCB Charlotte one of her family members was shot at a liquor house.

“Yeah, yeah. Had a nephew got killed at one. It’s a real tragedy,” she said.

Back at the suspected liquor house on West Boulevard on Wednesday, Tango said they are victims, not the problem. “Half the time, there be no liquor, just food! We grill,” said Tango.

CMPD has a special hotline where you can give anonymous tips for officers to investigate.

Here is how you can identify and report liquor houses in your neighborhood: 

• A residence or vacant/used commercial building that appears to be occupied or generating excessive vehicle, motorcycle, or pedestrian traffic during late night and early morning hours.
   
• Loud music or excessive noise such as yelling and screaming, fighting, shots being fired, and other disruptions of peace being generated from a residence or business that should be closed.
   
• Beer cans, liquor bottles, garbage, and other evidence of partying located in the street or on the property of a residence or commercial building.
   
• Flyers, signs, or advertisements for parties or social events at locations that are not zoned or permitted for assembly.

• If the location is currently active and appears to be operating, call 911 and report the location.
   
• Be sure to let the 911 operator know that you suspect the location is operating as a liquor house or illegal club.
   
• You can also request to remain anonymous and to not be seen by the responding officers.
   
• If the location is not currently operating, but you are aware or suspicious of its existence, you can call the VICE hotline at 704-336-VICE (8423) and report the location.