Crowd Fears Extraordinary Event Tool Leads to Abuse of Power

CHARLOTTE, NC — Controversy surrounded Charlotte’s extraordinary event policy at Monday’s city council meeting.

It’s a tool the city gives police to search people they deem suspicious in large crowds.

CMPD asks the City Manager to declare events extraordinary typically when they expect big crowds.

That’s usually at football games, parades, speed street, etc. It then gives police the authority to search people without reason.

People who spoke at city council Monday say the city declares so many events extraordinary that it increases the likelihood of abuse of power.

“Should CMPD be given broad powers to violate our rights?” said Ray McKinnon. “That’s the question we must ask, and the answer, I believe, is no.” Constitutional rights never take a time out.

City Manager Marcus Jones said, “When I became city manager in December, I was asked to sign one of these declarations and at that time, I asked the purpose of it and it’s effectiveness as a public safety tool.”

Next month Jones says he will announce recommendations based on the history of the extraordinary event declaration, whether it has been effective and whether the city should continue to use it.