Busy Week Ahead for CMPD
CHARLOTTE, NC — Saturday’s motorcade returning Billy Graham’s body to Charlotte will be the beginning of an extremely busy week for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
CMPD is asking officers to prepare for extra hours and long shifts, as the CIAA Tournament comes to town, and the city prepares for Graham’s funeral.
“Charlotte’s ready, Charlotte’s a great city to be able to hold something like this and multiple things at the same time such as such as the CIAA,” says CMPD Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings.
It’s shaping up to be a busy week for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
“We prepare for this,” says Officer John Frisk. “We’ll be ready. You know it’s going to be a busy time.”
More than 100,000 people coming to the QC next week for the annual CIAA basketball tournament. And now a funeral for the Reverend Billy Graham that could bring in President Trump, former presidents and a long list of dignitaries, along with lots of extra security.
“That’s something we’ll have to adjust for, you know,” says Frisk “But we’ll prepare. I mean we’re going to do our best. Be working long, hard hours. But we want to make sure everyone stays safe.”
“This is like the largest gathering African American in the country outside of Essence in New Orleans, is this CIAA thing,” says Charlotte club owner Peter Thomas.
CMPD will be stretched thin.
Club owner Peter Thomas is bringing in Cardi B for a show on Friday, March 2nd, the same day as the funeral. He says safety is priority one.
“I work closely with Vicky Foster, assistant chief, and the guys who work under her,” says Thomas. “You know, we never have issues.”
With all the activity in Charlotte, you can expect traffic concerns around the airport, near the Billy Graham Library and in and around Uptown.
Thomas hopes it all goes off smoothly.
“Bar owners, club owners, restaurant owners, we’re excited,” says The Club One owner. “You know, because the whole city is going to get flooded. Everybody is going to have the opportunity to make some money.”
The 2017 CIAA Tournament brought more than $47 million in economic impact to Charlotte.
This year’s tournament tips off next Tuesday at Bojangles Coliseum, before moving to the Spectrum Center in Uptown on Thursday.
