December 20, 2007

To ensure a safe and secure environment for those attending any New Year's events, the CMPD, in partnership with CFD, MEDIC and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, has developed a comprehensive operational plan. A sufficient number of emergency personnel will be deployed at fixed and mobile locations based on anticipated need. While officers understand the celebratory atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve holiday, any behaviors which threaten the safety of others will not be tolerated. Officers will enforce violations of the ordinance forbidding open containers of alcohol, blocking City streets and sidewalks and the possession of illegal fireworks, among others.  

Field Service (Patrol) Divisions
All Field Service Divisions will be fully staffed and prepared to respond to an expected increase in calls for service on New Year's Eve and the early hours of New Year's Day.  We expect calls related to parties, fireworks, traffic accidents and alcohol to increase during this time period. All patrol divisions will see an increased deployment of officers, including the center city.

CMPD Command Center
The Command Center will be open from 8:00 p.m. until New Year's morning to coordinate CMPD and other emergency services response to the entire county.  Command personnel from CMPD, Charlotte Fire Department, MEDIC, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and CDOT will staff the center to provide a unified response to any issues that arise anywhere in the county.

Civil Emergency Unit
A full complement of our Civil Emergency Unit officers will be deployed during the evening hours of December 31.  These officers, trained and equipped to deal with civil disorders of any size, will be mobile and deployed so they can respond quickly anywhere in our jurisdiction. 

Transit
With the Lynx Blue Line now in service, we are planning additional security along that line as well as at the Transportation Center.   

In addition to the transit officers working the line, we will have Mecklenburg County Sheriff's deputies staffing certain locations along the way and a significant law enforcement/security presence at the Transportation Center. CATS will have 10 additional trip buses standing by to alleviate any overcrowding issues at the Center.

Highway Interdiction and Traffic Safety Unit (HITS)
The CMPD HITS Unit will be deployed to heavily enforce DWI and other traffic laws.  They will also participate in a Booze-It-and Lose-It checkpoint during the evening hours.

Youth Protection Ordinance
As a reminder, CMPD officers will be enforcing the Youth Protection Ordinance that requires children under the age of 16 (unless accompanied by a parent or guardian) to be home by curfew. Since New Year's Eve falls on a Monday, the curfew is 11 PM (it does not change because of the holiday).  If a child is out past 11:00 and the police get involved, parents need to plan on picking up the child at the Police Department. Parents can receive citations, too, so for everyone's safety, especially our kids, let's make sure they are either home or with a responsible parent or guardian.