Questions Surround Proposal Repealing Extraordinary Events Ordinance

CHARLOTTE, NC — For the first time Monday, Charlotte City Council heard the proposal that would repeal the extraordinary event ordinance and add to current ordinances.

Critics say the law leads to racial profiling, and they are not happy with the updated version.

Critics are pushing for a full repeal.

“Do we even need this ordinance? We already have laws on the book that deal with everything they want to deal with,” said Ray McKinnon with New South Progressives.

The City Attorney says the public will have a chance to speak before council votes on this on May 22.

Council fired off questions:
“What do we actually gain?” Council Member Ed Driggs asked.

Some wondered what makes the new proposal different from the extraordinary event ordinance.

“It seems like we’re just taking away the need to identify something as an extraordinary event,” said Council Member at Large Julie Eiselt.

The city attorney says that’s correct.

The city attorney, city manager and CMPD came up with the new proposal that would strengthen the picketing and public assembly ordinances that are already on the books and repeal the extraordinary events ordinance.

At festivals or protests with at least 50 people, police have the power to deem you suspicious, and search you for items like knives, weapons, crow bars, that they think you intend to use to harm.

To see a list of items prohibited, click here.

Since 2012, the City Manager had to declare an event extraordinary for that power to kick in.

Critics, even CMPD Chief Kerr Putney, admit the ordinance became over used.

“Does that [new proposal] overcome the objection the community has had to naming something an extraordinary event repeatedly?” said Eiselt.

The City Attorney says he’s discussing suggestions with the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This has been used to profile folks,” said McKinnon. “I don’t think these revisions necessarily deal with that.”

“I guess CMPD would just have to be really careful in terms of their observations,” said Council Member Greg Phipps.

Council members and critics wonder what the ordinance adds that current law does not cover?

The City Attorney answered by saying the new City Manager questioned why CMPD was asking him to declare certain events extraordinary, and that prompted the current evaluation.

“The whole notion of the extraordinary event had some baggage dating back to the DNC
[Democratic National Convention],” said City Attorney Rob Hagemann. “It was pretty controversial when council was considering it. There was an expectation in the community that council would revisit the necessity for an extraordinary event ordinance.”

“There is nothing that will prevent CMPD from doing their job. They do not need this ordinance, but this ordinance does, from our perspective, limit our rights,” said McKinnon.

To see the full proposal given to council, click here.