CMPD Prepares For The 4th; Visits Homes of Previous Uptown Juvenile Offenders

UPTOWN – All eyes on uptown as the fourth of July fast approaches. Police are already preparing for the holiday and  hoping we don’t see a repeat of last year’s violence.

Shailen Fleming works just around the corner from Romare Bearden Park, and takes her kids there often to play.

“I love the park. Honestly, it’s peaceful, relaxing. You don’t have to really worry too much.

She was unaware that there have been multiple shooting in that park, but Charlotte leaders remember it all too well. One shooting last year on New Years Eve that injured five people, and major fights and illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Charlotte Mecklenburg police chief, Johnny Jennings, laid out what he’s doing now to prevent juvenile crime on the fourth.

“We know that there have been issues arising from unsupervised juveniles at these events in the past. We have a robust and well thought out plan for the celebration this year, and part of that plan is to utilize the Jade initiative to be intentional and direct with guardians of certain juveniles ahead of the event.”

Jennings says officers have visited more than 30 homes already to talk with the parents of the kids that committed last year’s shootings in the park. He is hoping those parents stay on top of their kids, but says they are still prepared for anything.

“These are the kids who caused problems during last year’s event, and these are the kids that have caused problems during New Year’s Eve. We are visiting their guardians so they can clearly understand the consequences associated with their actions.”