Discussion On Crime Control Turns Heated

CHARLOTTE, NC– What was supposed to be an informational Plaza Midwood neighborhood meeting turned into a screaming match.

Black Lives Matter protesters and concerned residents spoke out about a Facebook post from a white neighbor suggesting armed citizens patrol on bicycle for suspicious behavior.

“It’s very alarming to me because my husband can look very suspicious at 11:30 -12 just stopping at Harris Teeter to the wrong overzealous person.”

The man who wrote the post actually spoke up and apologized for it trying to explain himself having been a victim of crime and fearing for others in his neighborhood

“Sometimes I do feel like I have to be armed but I don’t have it on me right now and I don’t intent on carrying it with me when I’m riding this neighborhood.”

Mayor Jennifer Roberts was at the meeting to discuss issues pertaining to the city when she got caught in the middle of the Facebook post debate asking people not to stir the pot.

“Please don’t put things on Facebook and Twitter that are inflammatory that don’t express the full view of what you want to talk about cause it often gets misinterpreted,” said Mayor Roberts.

Police were at the meeting knowing many people would want an update on the recent murder of 26 year old Katherine Jones and they made it clear they want the publics help but only with information.

“Anytime we ask for publics opportunity to assist us in anything is not that we need firearms or anything involved in it,” said Capt. Torri Tellis of the CMPD.