Crime & Safety
Uptick In Gun Violence Targeted By Police With Special Unit
Using multiple police resources, CMPD is tackling gun violence that has seen an uptick since 2021.
![Crimes involving guns are up in Charlotte and police are working on reducing it.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/25555227/20220223/114347/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-133605278___23114330822.jpg)
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is working on an ongoing initiative to reduce gun violence in the Queen City.
In a press conference Wednesday, CMPD explained while overall crime is down 5 percent from this time last year, crimes involving guns are up. Specifically, crimes involving assaults with a deadly weapon are up six percent, and shootings into occupied properties are up 2 percent.
The way CMPD is tackling the issue is with a special unit called the Crime Gun Suppression Team which includes the gang unit, a task force specifically for those who shoot unto occupied properties and other resources.
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The CGST duty is targeting violent criminal groups and addressing retaliatory and series gun-crime cases.
CGST has made 28 arrests and seized 29 firearms. Recently, an investigation into a violent and active group in Charlotte resulted in six arrests, 11 firearm seizures, and the recovery of large amounts of cash and narcotics.
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CMPD highlighted three recent cases, but says the issue is ongoing and a violent group continues to operate in Charlotte.
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