The Charlotte City Council voted this week to reinstate six ordinances to try to address rising safety concerns.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police will now have the authority to issue criminal citations or arrest people who violate the ordinances, which largely center on disorderly conduct related offenses. People can now face criminal penalties if they are caught soliciting in certain areas, trespassing on a motor vehicle, carrying open containers of alcohol, defecating or urinating in public, and engaging in lewd acts.
The purpose of the reinforcement of the ordinances is to increase the quality of life for citizens living, working, and visiting in Uptown Charlotte, City Councilmember Malcolm Graham said during Monday’s meeting.
A growing number of businesses and residents in Uptown have expressed concern in recent months about public safety and petitioned the council to reinstate enforcement of the ordinances.
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance actively advocates for policies and regulations that promote public safety. Last week, the CLT Alliance issued a letter of support to the council calling for the reinstatement of the ordinances.
“Maintaining a strong public safety network is critical to sustaining the viability of businesses and the region’s strong record of business recruitment and tourism attraction,” the letter read, in part. “A thriving visitor economy contributes to increased employment opportunities and visitor spending, which supports economic development initiatives and generates revenue for community investments.”
The ordinances are part of the current City Code. Back in 2021, the state passed a bill decriminalizing a large number of ordinances for local municipalities.
