County Closer to Deal On Policing Unincorporated Areas

CHARLOTTE, NC — County Commissioners made some process Tuesday in deciding which entity will patrol unincorporated Mecklenburg County starting next July.

Commissioners did not vote on a plan Tuesday, but they did agree to framework of a potential deal.

The city of Charlotte is asking for a five-year contract for CMPD to cover the areas.

$14 million for the first year.

That price will go up each year based on growth in the county.

The tax rate likely won’t change.

“I think we need to know what services we get and what it cost Charlotte,” said Commissioner Bill James.

He says taxpayers have paid a lot of money considering the services CMPD has provided in unincorporated areas.

“I doubt the people who live in impoverished neighborhoods believe they get the better end of the stick on police service,” said County Commissioner At-Large Trevor Fuller. “I doubt it. Many of them feel themselves as being persecuted.”

Commissioner Fuller says CMPD pays for the most training.

“When we need specialized services, where ever it is in the county, we are looking to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Let’s be honest about that,” said Commissioner Fuller.

Sheriff Irwin Carmichael says his deputies can cover unincorporated areas for $11.5 million a year. The Sheriff’s Office will need $9.6 million to get started and buy equipment.

“We account for 25 percent of all arrests in Mecklenburg County. In the last three years, we’ve conducted safely 14,000 traffic stops,” said Sheriff Carmichael.

Both options only include Charlotte, Mint Hill and Davidson.

Huntersville and Cornelius police want to patrol unincorporated areas near them.

No set date on a vote right now.

The County Manager will go back to the City Manager to negotiate further and get answers about services provided.

She will eventually come up with a recommendation for Commissioners to consider before voting.