Respondents to a survey organized by a Charlotte community organization disagree with Charlotte police statistics showing a dropping crime rate in the city, reports the Charlotte Observer. About 80 percent of the 500 people surveyed said the crime problem in Charlotte is either unchanged or has gotten worse over the past two years.
Their study results contrast with a steady stream of monthly crime statistics from police showing — for the most part — that the crime rate has been dropping over the past 12 to 18 months. Police statistics through March showed the overall crime rate is down 15 percent since the same time a year ago. Respondents did not fall into the “lock-them-up-and-throw-away-the-key” category, as most of them said they support more mental health and substance abuse programs — and said they believe only violent offenders should be put in jail.