Charlotte’s Gang Of None
The number of gang members is on the rise in North Carolina, up to 13,700 from last year’s count of just over 10,000, according to the recently released Governor’s Crime Commission report. The bangers break down into 900 organized gangs statewide. Not surprisingly, Charlotte-Mecklenburg tops the state with 160 gangs battling for turf in the Queen City.
Equally unsurprising, local officials are quick to downplay the problem. CMPD’s Gang of One Director Fran Cook says the Crime Commission’s report over reaches on the number of gangs in Mecklenburg, which she pegs between only 15 and 20.
Excuse me while I flashback to the inane logic used by former Charlotte City Manager Pam Syfert, who consistently danced around the gang issue by insisting crime wasn’t being committed by gangs; it was just groups of youths committing multiple offenses. Seriously.
That seems about on par with the lowball gang estimate from Cook, who quibbled with the Crime Commission’s number because it counted smaller gangs that only included two or three bangers, along with gangs that were populating prisons.
Pheeew, thank goodness for that. I feel loads better now, knowing it’s just organized groups of two or three criminals busting down doors and boosting cars, and not real gangs at work. And with the iron-clad criminal justice system we have in Mecklenburg County, those gangs behind bars will be there for at least, what, two or three whole weeks.
Breathe easy, citizen; no booming gang problem here.
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=1322
