CMPD Launches New Multi-Agency Safety Initiative

Published on December 04, 2025

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Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), in collaboration with numerous law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners, launched a new, proactive public safety initiative: Operation Safe Season.

This multi-agency effort is designed to significantly increase police presence and enforcement over the next several weekends with a focus on Uptown and plans to expand to other areas of Charlotte with repeated violence and criminal behavior. The initiative combines strategic visibility, strong partnerships and a commitment to strict accountability.

“As everyone is aware, my journey as Charlotte’s Police Chief is just beginning. However, even in this first week I want to make it clear: continuing to reduce violent crime and disorder and addressing the perception of crime are among my priorities to build a safer and stronger city,” said CMPD Chief Estella D. Patterson. “Operation Safe Season is about ensuring that Charlotte is a safe and welcoming place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

Key components of the operation include:

  • Increased Visibility: Officers will increase presence during peak entertainment hours, focusing on deterrence and quick response. The public can expect to see an elevated officer presence in Uptown during peak evening and weekend hours.
  • Multi-Agency Partnership: CMPD is joined by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC), Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Attorney’s Office and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office to maximize resources and impact.
  • Specialized Units: Specialized CMPD units, including Crime Reduction Units, the Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment team (JADE), the Motors Unit, the DWI Task Force, the Entertainment District Unit (EDU), the Street Takeover Task Force, the Crime Gun Suppression Team and the Firearms Task Force, will assist in addressing specific concerns.

Overall crime in Charlotte is down 9% year-to-date (Jan. 1 through Nov. 30) compared to the same period last year, including a 20% decrease in violent crime and a 6% decrease in property crime.

Violent crime in the Central Division has increased by 15% during the same period. This includes 10 homicides reported in 2025, up from four during the same period in 2024.

Operation Safe Season builds upon successful existing initiatives already making an impact in the Central Division:

  • Entertainment District Unit (EDU): Since its inception on Oct. 4, this specialized team focused on Uptown and South End nightlife has conducted 296 traffic stops, made 85 arrests and seized 27 firearms.
  • CROWN Culture Initiative (Center City’s Restoration of Order, Wellness, and Nonviolence): Since launching on Sept. 20, this high-impact effort, which focuses on strict enforcement of quality-of-life ordinances balanced with connecting those in need to resources, has resulted in 272 arrests, 815 traffic stops and the seizure of 73 firearms.
  • Operation TRIO (Targeted Response for Intervention & Outreach in Uptown): This initiative continues to drive progress in areas like the Spectrum Center, Charlotte Transportation Center and Uptown parks.

CMPD remains committed to preventing and addressing crime and will continue collaborating with partners to enforce the law and bring justice to those who break it. Operation Safe Season is also built on a commitment to accountability.

“Both violent crime and quality of life crime committed by repeat offenders have been the focus of our attention Uptown and our Entertainment District,” stated Spencer Merriweather, Mecklenburg County District Attorney. “It's the reason why we have devoted increased attention and trial time to crimes that have been the focus of CMPD's CROWN Initiative. And we now have prosecutors who have been specifically assigned to focus on repeat offenders in this district. This is a model that can and will be replicated in neighborhoods across the county.” 

“I am so grateful Chief Patterson is hitting the ground running with an emphasis on the safety of Uptown,” noted Russ Ferguson, United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “As a city, Charlotte has worked hard to build a vibrant center city – that effort will be for naught if residents and visitors alike do not feel safe when they attend our entertainment venues, enjoy our parks, go to shows, eat in restaurants, and enjoy all we have built.”

Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity—not just during the holiday season but throughout the year.

If you see something, say something. Call 911 to report suspicious activity immediately so that our officers can respond and address concerns in real time. The public can also share information anonymously that could help solve crimes through Charlotte Crime Stoppers by calling 704.334.1600, using the P3 Tips Mobile App or visiting charlottecrimestoppers.com.

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