CHARLOTTE, N.C.
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Only Eyewitness News listened to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe tell neighbors in Uptown Charlotte's Third Ward a sneak peek at the changes he plans to make within CMPD.
Monroe told residents on Tuesday night that his main goal is to put more officers out on the street.
"We have a tendency of creating so much specialization in the department, that every time we do that we reach into a neighborhood and take officers out of that neighborhood," Monroe said.
Every community in Charlotte-Mecklenburg belongs to one of three response areas within patrol the city's 13 patrol divisions.
Monroe said he plans to have a commanding office head up each response area where the top priority will be addressing issues or concerns about crime that are specifically affecting neighborhoods in those response areas.
Monroe said he's making this particular change to give the two community coordinators that are in each division more resources.
Keith hall lives in Third Ward and wanted to hear Monroes message.
"We are growing exponentially and with that comes crime," said Hall. "And I'm glad to hear that he does have plan that's he putting in place that will put more officers on the street."
Monroe also said the plan could mean police may start responding to property crimes the same way they respond to violent crimes.
"If there are problematic areas within the response areas where breaking into cars is a problem, then they have the ability to pick up the phone and call and turn into a response mode," said Monroe.
While Monroe said no final decisions have been made regarding specialized units like HITS and International Relations, he said none of the units will be dissolved, only streamlined to put more officers back on patrol.
Monroe plans to unveil the new changes by August 1.
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