Information Items:
Letters to Citizens in Areas Where Prostitution is Solicited
Staff Resources: Darrel Stephens, 704-336-2360 and John Diggs, 704-336-8293
Council member Turner has requested some additional information on the letter that CMPD's Metro Division sends to individuals who have been seen in the area around Wilkinson Boulevard, especially around Greenland and Berryhill Road. The letter is one of several tactics that the Metro Division is using to address a long-term prostitution problem in that area. Residents in the surrounding neighborhood are in support of the district's effort as they have long been concerned about the impact that the prostitution problem has on the area's quality of life.
The letters are sent to individuals whose cars have been seen in the Greenland-Berryhill area for at least 15 minutes at a time. Officers run the tag number to identify the registered owner of the car and make sure that the owner does not live in the area.
In some instances, the officer will approach the individual; in others, the officer just records the information and a letter is sent. The letter does not accuse anyone of illegal behavior. It simply alerts the individual to the fact that prostitution, illegal drug activity, and crimes such as robberies and assaults are common in the area. Particular hours of concern are around lunch time and in the early and late evening.
The Metro Division hopes that sending the letters will be a contributing factor in making the area an uncomfortable place for individuals to seek out prostitutes. They have seen a decrease in this activity since they began using the letters as part of their prostitution strategy.
The media publicized the use of this letter when it began in March and the Observer published the text of the letter. Captain John Diggs of the Metro Division estimates that approximately 100 letters have been sent in the last three months. Captain Diggs has received some calls about the letters. Most of those have been from registered vehicle owners who say they were not the one driving the car at the time it was seen in the area.
At present only the Metro Division is using the letter. Other districts which have areas with chronic prostitution problems have expressed an interest in the letter and may begin using it in the future.
2003 Water Quality Report to be Released this Week
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5060
The sixth annual Water Quality Report, will start going out to mailboxes across Mecklenburg County beginning Friday. Most public water suppliers in the U.S. are required by the
Environmental Protection Agency to send this type of water quality 'report card' to all customers by July 1 of each year. We are delighted with the results from our most recent report, which covers the 2003 calendar year.
Once again, Charlotte-Mecklenburg's drinking water continued to meet and often exceed state and federal drinking water standards with zero violations during 2003. The report details eight substances that our certified professionals detected in our drinking water (compared to 14 in 2002).
The bottom line is that all substances detected were well within stringent regulatory limits. The report also contains helpful information about our water resources and water quality. Through this report we want customers to rest assured their water remains of the highest quality. We can all take pride in the commitment, quality and excellence of our water treatment and water laboratory staff who perform more than 325,000 water quality tests per year and work around the clock to make sure our water remains safe and healthy.
We are sharing advance copies of this report with internal staff and elected officials this week, and with the news media on Thursday. The report is already available on-line at www.cmutilities.com and a Spanish version will be advertised in the center spread of
La Noticia on June 23. That version will also be posted on the website as soon as it runs in the paper.
Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities Meeting
Staff Resource: Gwenarda Isley, 704-336-2116
The Economic Development Division is hosting an Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities Meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart (invitation attached - paper copy only)
The meeting is in response to Council's approval on April 12, 2004 for three Economic Development Outreach meetings during the calendar 2004 to inform businesses of City of Charlotte Economic Development program opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform persons on the City's programs and resources, as well as how to access these opportunities. The meeting topics include the City's Economic Development Strategy, Small Business Financial Assistance, Small Business Enterprise Loan, Small Business Owners Program and the Biz Hub Center.
There will also be representatives from Self-Help Credit Union, the Charlotte Chamber, Small Business Development and Technology Development Center, CPCC and the Business Expansion Funding Corporation (formerly CCDC) and the Equity Loan Program Banking Partners to speak with individuals one on one regarding their business growth.
For more information or to register visit http://econdev.charmeck.org
The June 22 meeting is targeted for Districts 1, 4 and 5. Districts 2 and 3 will be held September 30 and Districts 6 and 7 are scheduled for November 4. Locations to be determined.
