Charlotte's Police Dept. was recently accused of Racial Profiling and Harassing Black citizens who reside in East Charlotte.
Especially Ex-Offenders most of whom are Black.
Fore the record just because someone is an Ex-Offender doesn't mean they are lifelong criminals.
How is it that White Ex-Offenders in North Carolina are allowed a second chance at life but Black Ex-Offenders are treated like no good Slaves, who are better off locked up for life??
(Charlotte's White citizens are rarely if ever charged with Felonies and rarely serve time in prison.)
Charlotte's Police Chief Rodney Monroe is also a Black guy but from D.C.
Thus far Chief Monroe has done a Great job considering the fact he's working with a bunch of redneck hicks and scared Black "leaders".
I'm all for his tough crime fighting tactics however I hope this recent news report doesn't mean Chief Monroe has become infected with Charlotte's "Uncle Tom" disease.
Welcome to Charlotte Ya'll!
2010 Racially Segregated capital of the Southeastern region.
Come on down and enjoy this centuries old Racism!
Let us pray people.
Check out the videos and article below.
"You can't separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." Malcolm X Circa 1965
Criticism Of Charlotte Police Tactics Follows Shooting
Police officers involved in Thursday's shooting of a man at the Timber Ridge apartments were part of a new strategy using "focused mission teams" to crack down on crime in trouble spots.
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer shot and wounded 21-year-old Terrence Darden after police say he produced a gun during a foot chase through the east Charlotte neighborhood. The chase ended with Darden collapsing in the community's playground, witnesses say, as dozens of children watched.
Darden, a convicted felon who is on probation, was in stable condition at Carolinas Medical Center, his girlfriend told the Observer. Police say they recovered a handgun at the scene, and charged him with drug and gun possession and assaulting a police officer.
The shooting happened after a team of three officers approached a group of young men hanging out near the playground. The team's mission is to reduce crime in Timber Ridge, using a variety of tactics that can include surveillance, undercover operations and engagement with people who may appear suspicious.
Focus teams helped bring down crime last year, according to Chief Rodney Monroe, who introduced them in 2008 as part of his strategy that emphasizes street patrols and rapid response to crime trends.
But at least half a dozen Timber Ridge residents told the Observer Friday that the intense police presence can sometimes feel like harassment and increase tensions - particularly in their community, where the shooting deaths of two officers in 2007 has chilled relations between police and residents.
"They've got zero tolerance for anything," says Charles Dixon, who often stays with friends at the complex. "They're always stopping people, getting in people's faces."
Chief Monroe declined to discuss the shooting Friday, but police released a statement with some details.
Chase preceded shooting
It happened about 8:15 p.m. Thursday, on what witnesses said had been a quiet night in Timber Ridge. As many as 30 children were at the playground while adults sat on patios and socialized on the cool summer evening.
Darden stood between two apartment buildings, talking with a group of friends and acquaintances.
Three officers pulled up in a patrol car and walked toward the group.
Darden walked away as they approached, say police and witnesses, heading to an apartment building nearby where his girlfriend lives. Officers followed, witnesses say.
Darden spoke briefly with the officers in the hallway, then took off running, police and witnesses say. The officers gave chase.
As Darden raced around the building, witnesses say he dodged one officer and continued toward the children's playground.
"Mr. Darden was armed and displaying the gun during the foot pursuit," police said in a statement.
Officer Thomas Wishon shot Darden once in the upper body, according to the statement.
Police said Friday morning they didn't know whether Darden was shot in the chest or the back, and they later declined to clarify the location of the gunshot wound.
Police also would not say whether Darden pointed his gun at officers, or offer further description of how Darden might have threatened officers or others.
N.C. law allows police to use deadly force when an officer believes his life, or the life of another, is in danger.
Wishon has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard after a shooting. Police would not provide information about the officer's performance record.
After Thursday's shooting, witnesses said Darden sprawled onto the mulch in the children's playground.
Parents panicked at the sound of a gunshot.
Dealmon Rivers sprinted toward the playground, searching for his 4-year-old son.
As he closed in, the boy passed his dad, running for home - then locked everyone else outside, and closed the blinds.
"He was terrified," Rivers said. "He was hollering, 'The cop is going to shoot me.'
"It took two minutes for us to get him to let us in."
Police defend tactic
Capt. Johnny Jennings defended the use of focused mission teams Friday.
He heads the North Tryon Division, home of Timber Ridge, where crime declined last year but recently ticked up enough to gain attention.
Mission teams aren't assigned to routine patrols but instead work as a group to target specific crimes and specific sore spots within a police district. They're just one tactic Jennings says can be effective, and the teams use a variety of measures to stop crime. They are encouraged to be proactive, walking through neighborhoods, talking to people, or riding bikes to get a closer look.
Monroe said Thursday this team's focus was to reduce armed robberies in Timber Ridge. The complex had two robberies in all of last year, and four so far this year.
Timber Ridge has long suffered violence and property crime. Police recorded 349 crimes in the 100-unit complex since January 2006.
In 2007, Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton were responding to an unrelated domestic-disturbance call when they were fatally shot. Police have charged 28-year-old Demeatrius Montgomery with the killings, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in a trial set for later this year.
That crime lingers for police and residents.
The complex has seen at least two other homicides since then.
Officers often wait for backup when responding to calls there, police say.
Some residents say the constant police presence can escalate tension.
Darden's girlfriend says that may be why he ran from police.
Darden is a felon who served time for cocaine possession. And police have searched him before at Timber Ridge, friends say.
"They harass people for no reason," said Chateama McBrayer, 33. "He's a felon. He knows they're going to stop him."
But police said Darden admitted he had a gun during an interview at the hospital Thursday. It's illegal for a felon to carry a gun. He also had enough drugs, police say, to warrant a charge of possession with intent to distribute - a felony.
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Sources: Charmeck.org, McClatchy Newspapers, WCNC, WRAL, Google Maps
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