Charlotte-Mecklenburg police held a press conference today to release the preliminary crime statistics for 2006.As of today, the number of murders in Charlotte is down by 2. In 2005, 85 people were killed in Charlotte. So far, in 2006, 83 people were murdered. Keep in mind, the murder rate in 2005 was at a 10 year high. Police also said that out of the 83 murder victims, at least 50 of the victims had an arrest record.
Police say 25 of the homicides are classified as from an undetermined cause, 22 were the result of an argument, 16 were domestic related, 15 were killed during a robbery and 5 are considered drug related murders. Police say they have identified 66 suspects in the homicide cases and they say 46 of the suspects have a prior criminal record.
Police say the number of rapes have increased by 11% from 2005. Burglaries are up nearly 8% and the number of vehicle thefts are up 3% compared to 2005.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officials say they are seeing a sharp increase in amount of juvenile arrests. “The arrests for juveniles, aged 16 and 17 are up significantly- and for all categories, including violent & property crimes,” said Deputy Chief Ken Miller.
Juvenile arrests for robbery are up 40% from 2005. Juvenile burglary arrests are up 20% and drug arrests up 47% compared to 2005. Here is the real kicker... juvenile arrests for weapons charges are up 98%! Miller said CMPD confiscated 132 weapons from juveniles in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools this year.
More Info: WSOC-TV, WCNC, WBTV