More women than ever are choosing careers in policing with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).  Learn more about the rewards of being a CMPD officer at the:

"Women in Policing" Career Fair
Saturday, October 29 at 10 am
Police & Fire Training Academy
1770 Shopton Rd.

For more information, including job benefits and qualifications, please call 704-432-1603, 704-432-1616 or visit www.cmpd.org.      

On October 3, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will add and extend various service routes to provide more transportation options for current and future commuters. To view new service route information, click here.

Also on October 3, CATS will implement a system-wide fare increase that will affect all bus services. CATS current fare policy recommends an increase of approximately 10-cents every two years for local bus service.  Fares on all CATS' services will be adjusted accordingly.  The new fares will aid CATS in keeping pace with costs associated with expanded services and increasing fuel prices.

For a listing of new fares, call 704-336-RIDE or click here.

Ever wish you could personally redesign Charlotte's street network?  Here's your chance.  City staff have drafted Urban Street Design Guidelines (USDG) that will be presented to City Council this fall and, if adopted, will shape the way streets are built in Charlotte.  But before City Council votes, the planners would like community input at scheduled open house meetings.

For meeting times and locations, or to see a draft of the Urban Street Design Guidelines, call 704-336-4119 or click here. 

Make plans to get involved during Fire Prevention Week October 9 – 15.  This year's focus for fire safety involves the use of candles in the home.  Home candle fires have risen steadily over the last decade and the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) wants everyone to know the dangers of home candle use. CFD has a variety of fire safety activities scheduled for the month of October.

To view fire safety events or learn more about fire prevention, click here.

Volunteers are needed to help remove trash and debris from local streams and lakes during: 

Big Sweep 2005
Saturday, October 1
9 am – 1 pm

North Carolina Big Sweep is an annual, statewide event that provides residents with an opportunity to take a stand against water pollution. 

For more information, including site locations, call 704-336-5500 or visit http://waterquality.charmeck.org.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission invite the community to attend public meetings to receive information and provide feedback on the latest developments along the Southeast and West Corridors.

The meetings will focus on preliminary concept plans for proposed transit station area locations and park and ride lots, potential areas for future land use and proposed station access improvements.  The project team also will discuss proposed infrastructure improvements for better connectivity in each station area.  

For meeting times and locations, call 704-336-RIDE or click on Southeast Corridor or West Corridor.

Construction along Charlotte's first rapid transit corridor has begun.  When complete in 2007, the 9.6 mile corridor will feature the light rail line as well as road, sidewalk, storm drainage, water, sewer and beautification projects along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road and adjacent neighborhoods. 

For more information, visit www.charlottefuture.com.

Tune into The Government Channel – Cable 16 for the latest on what's happening in City government.

City Source - Thursdays at 5:30 pm
This week, look at City efforts to locate a new fire station in the Arboretum area and find out how to use CATS Trip Planner to customize your transit plans.

CMPD Today - Premieres Wednesday, October 5 at 8 pm
Chief Darrel Stephens and other members of the CMPD take you beyond the news headlines for an inside look at policing today.