Charlotte City Council to Consider Repeal of Extraordinary Event Ordinance

CHARLOTTE, NC – Proposed changes could affect security at Charlotte’s largest events.

City council will consider repealing the extraordinary events ordinance that gives police more power to stop and search people.

The ordinance has faced criticism lately.

“It is too broadly written,” argues Liz Millsaps Haigler, with New South Progressives.

The group is lobbying city council to make changes.

“They tend to use it to target brown and black people.. young people,” Haigler says.

If the ordinance is repealed.. in it’s place would be new rules that would place fewer restriction – but would be in effect at all festivals and parades.

Under the proposal, police could still search backpacks looking for items that could be used as weapons.
But people would be allowed to wear things like bandannas, scarves, and gas masks.. items that were prohibited during extraordinary events.

Former assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker says he doesn’t agree with those changes.

“I think it’s the wrong time to be repealing an ordinance that is used with discretion and is designed to give law enforcement the tools to get the job done and keep the peace,” Swecker says.

He says a better plan would be to just use the current extraordinary event ordinance less often.

“It’s a matter really of having the discretion not to invoke the law in routine circumstances. that’s the answer, not necessarily repeal,” he says.