CLT City Council Writes Letter Responding to Unrest

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte City Council is responding to community forum demands, protests and riots after the police shooting of Keith Scott.

Council members wrote a letter to residents supporting Chief Kerr Putney and outlining a plan to address three specific community problems.

In the letter, council members wrote in part:

“We recognize there are some people who enjoy relative wealth, prosperity and opportunity while others struggle to find good paying jobs, affordable housing and some may not trust law enforcement.”

“Unfortunately, it had to come to this for us to get attention, but we got it now,” said Shaun Corbett.

Corbett is a local business owner who’s been a bridge between police and the community.

Council promises to focus on
safety, trust & accountability with CMPD.

Council members tell WCCB Charlotte that includes updating the citizens review board, reassessing use of force policies and transparency laws.

Council members want to move people into safe, affordable housing by creating 5,000 affordable units in three years.

The letter outlines a plan to increase access to stable jobs by putting $1 million toward a program to increase training and opportunities for youth and individuals with multiple barriers to employment.

To see the full letter, click here.

“We’re losing money right now,” said Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles. “The more unrest we have, the reputation we have of our community, we’re not bringing in the money we need. So, this is investment money.”

WCCB Charlotte asked Lyles where the money will come from.

“I can’t say where were going to take it from, but we know that there are times that we collect more money than we plan to,” said Lyles. “I would rather this would not come from another program but from your tax dollars. So that we can actually use it towards something you want to see happen.”

Council will start working out specifics Oct.10.

“It gives people the opportunity to rebuild that that trust and that faith that we’ve lost in the past couple days,” said Corbett.

The letter does not include any mention of Mayor Jennifer Roberts.