Prostitution Sting in Charlotte, Crime Reporting (Part 4)

Police have acknowledged how terrible the prostitution problem is in the area known as the along the Plaza corridor—so much so they decided to focus on prostitution at the Plaza and 36^th Street, a notorious pick-up area.  There was a press conference this morning, with special emphasis on this issue:

From: "Tufano, Robert" rtufano@cmpd.org

To: Media Release MediaRelease@cmpd.org

Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 4:04 PM

Subject: CMPD Crime Statistics Briefing

On Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Deputy Chief Kerr Putney with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s North Field Services Group will present the 2011, third quarter crime statistics.

Eastway Division Captain Demetria Faulkner Welch will also attend the briefing to discuss a recent operation coordinated to improve the quality of life for neighbors who live and work in an area that had experienced an increase in street level prostitution.

Please join us  on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of the Plaza and 36th street.

Robert A. Tufano

Office of the Chief

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

601 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

704.336.7042 (O)

704.301.8605 (M)

rtufano@cmpd.org

Police said this morning that from July to September, they made 20 sting-style prostitution arrests in this area.  They say some residents have noticed a difference.  

It’s an area filled with low-priced hotels, low-income housing, bars, gas stations, easy access to main roads, and people trying to work, sleep, have homes, and low crime that we are all entitled to.  It just hasn’t been the case.  But if you were looking at the numbers reported by the CMPD, you would never know that—just don’t try to tell it to somebody living there.

A resident explained the improvement on the WSOC live report “my wife and I haven’t called 911 in a month or two.”  This kind of implies there have been many more calls than that in prior months, and that’s from one person.  Keep this in mind as you review the reported information from the CMPD on crime statistics for the area. 

http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/CMPD/safety/CrimeMap/Pages/default.aspx takes you to the right page to begin your frustrating journey in to the difficult-to use crime data page.  It’s not completely useless, but runs slowly and the only way to move around to zoom in and zoom out, then pan around until you finally hit your mark. 

Beyond frustration with using the system, the data just isn’t right.

Using the tools on the CMPD.ORG web site on 8/14/2011 and running a check of calls for service, then reported incidents with criteria run as a ½ mile radius from corner of 36^th and the Plaza yielded the results below.  The full tables are shown, but the results show a total of eight-and-a-half months of data taken from a one mile circle in one of the most notorious prostitution corridors in Charlotte—the area around 36^th and the Plaza. 

Data pulled:  1/1/2011 to 8/14/2011

Calls for service

LOITERING-PROSTITUTION RELATED

17

Reported Incidents

Prostitution-Soliciting	2
Sex Offense-Other	2
Sex Offense-Indecent Exposure	1

There’s no way possible this data reported by CMPD is correct. 

Let’s just be direct.

Look at the sheriff’s web site and check the arrest warrants.  You will see that the number of arrests for prostitution, solicitation, crimes against nature, etc… far exceed a total of FIVE for this eight-and-a-half month time period in that area.  Ask Captain Faulkner Welch what prompted her to set up the special operation.  What experience, data, and neighborhood complaints are the basis for assigning officers to this duty?

If the numbers of 17 calls for service and then of 2 or at most 5 possible sex/prostitution-related incidents reported in the one-mile circle containing 36^th and the Plaza for an 8 ½ month period were accurate, why would the CMPD put forth a special operation to try to quell prostitution, explaining that it’s a big problem in the area? 

Similarly, crime numbers provided directly from the CMPD Attorney’s office make absolutely no sense.  These numbers come directly from their office, and are department-wide, not just Eastway Divistion:

	CITIZEN-INITIATED CALLS FOR SERVICE1 BY TYPE
	CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Type of Call2
PROSTITUTION	1273	1181	675	0	0
ASSAULT	4771	4808	4569	4728	4880
HARASSMENT	1702	1944	2070	2652	2537
PROPERTY	7572	7723	5934	4768	4660

When inquiries were made about the drop to zero for the past two years for reported prostitution calls, CMPD Attorneys that work for Chief Monroe refused to answer this question:

How is it that the number of prostitution calls went from over 1200 to 0 (zero)?    Is that accurate or is the number being reported somewhere else? This number seems wildly off, unless there is a process change or other explanation.

At the press conference today, CMPD announced Aggravated Assaults in the Eastway division are up.  Up from what?  What numbers would you believe, even if given by the CMPD?  What about the rest of the Crime Statistics reported by CMPD brass that don’t match reality, and that the CMPD Attorneys say are not public information?

Here’s another answer the CMPD Attorney refused to give, which may be the root of many answers:

I am aware of a category used which is Miscellaneous Incident but do not see it on here.  Is that on another layer of report, or am I misinformed about the name of that category?

It seems that many reports may be simply “written off” as miscellaneous incidents and drop off the system that citizens used to have access to within 24 hours.  Even though using this catch-all MI status to avoid reporting a crime would not be allowed, it may be a reason Monroe is balking so hard at transparency in the entire crime reporting area.  Otherwise, why have your attorneys (that we are paying for) refuse to give public information (that we are paying for and entitled to)? 

Notice, too, the claim of a huge drop in property crimes.  All sources to citynewswatch say this does not match reality, either.  Reports need to be reviewed.  But first they need to be made available.

Chief Monroe will not answer a real question about data, even submitted in writing.  He uses his citizen-paid-for attorneys to refuse, despite public records law.  He has a habit of only giving exclusive interviews to reporters who will give him friendly, softball promotional pieces controlled by him.  He won’t show up to explain millions of dollars of irrational spending to City Council, but makes himself available to other interviewers with a claim he will be answering questions about operations.  His staff deflects questions for him.

Please write to the City Leaders – addresses provided at right-- and continue writing until this changes.  Our crime statistics, from start to end, are being reported incorrectly.  The impact of this underreporting of crime stats can range from losing crime funding grants to many other dangerous problems.  And is it being done to make the people on the top of the totem pole look good while citizens and cops suffer?  FBI sources stated that Crime Statistics reported by local areas are absolutely considered when determining allocation of resources.  So is any misreporting or misuse of any funding… but that will be in another post.

Here are links to the first three Crime Reporting posts by citynewswatch:

Crime ReportingQuestions and Jealous Reporters? (Part 1)

Significant Eventsin Crime Reporting (Part 2)

CMPD Says Web Site"Under Construction" (Part 3)

FULL DATA FOR ½ Mile Radius from 36^th and the Plaza, beginning 1/1/2011 through 8/14/2011

CALLS FOR SERVICE

Filter Criteria: from 1/1/2011 to 8/14/2011
Summary

Call Type	Count
ZONE CHECK	298
TRAFFIC STOP	102
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/PROWLER	48
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE	30
DISTURBANCE	29
ASSIST MEDIC	22
CHECK THE WELFARE OF	21
CITIZEN CONTACT	20
LOITERING-PROSTITUTION RELATED	17
LARCENY	14
TRESPASS	13
ATTEMPT TO LOCATE	12
ABC-INTOXICATED PERSON	11
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-PHYSICAL ASSAULT	11
VEHICLE DISABLED IN ROADWAY	11
ACCIDENT IN ROADWAY-PROPERTY DAMAGE	9
BREAK/ENTER RESIDENTIAL-UNOCCUPIED	9
ALARM-RESIDENTIAL	8
ANIMAL CRUELTY	8
DISCHARGING A FIREARM	8
ACCIDENT-PERSONAL INJURY	6
DRUG SALE/PURCHASE	6
FRAUD/FORGERY	6
LOITERING	6
LOITERING-ALCOHOL RELATED	6
NOISE COMPLAINT	6
A/C CHECK COMPLIANCE	5
ASSIST FIRE DEPARTMENT	5
ACCIDENT NON ROADWAY-PROPERTY DAMAGE	4
ADW-NO INJURY	4
ASSAULT- PHYSICAL ONLY	4
LOITERING FOR MONEY	4
PARKING COMPLAINT	4
STOLEN VEHICLE	4
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE OCCUPIED	4
WARRANT SERVICE	4
ABANDONED VEHICLE	3
ALARM-COMMERCIAL	3
ARMED PERSON	3
BREAK/ENTER RESIDENTIAL-OCCUPIED	3
CDCP CLINICIAN VISIT	3
ESCORT	3
INJURY TO REAL/PERSONAL PROPERTY	3
JUVENILE-PHYSICAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT	3
OWNER SURRENDER	3
PERSON DOWN/PUBLIC ACCIDENT	3
SERVE LEGAL PAPERS	3
STRAY ANIMAL	3
SUICIDE-THREAT	3
COMMUNICATING THREATS-PERSON	2
DOMESTIC PROPERTY RECOVERY	2
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED	2
DRUG POSSESSION-SUBSTANCE/PARAPHERNALIA	2
ESCORT TO MENTAL HEALTH	2
FIGHT	2
INJURED ANIMAL	2
NO OPERATOR LICENSE	2
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED	2
TRAFFIC CONTROL/MALFUNCTION	2
911-BUSY ON CALL BACK	1
911-UNABLE TO DETERMINE	1
911-UNAVAILABLE ON CALLBACK	1
ABANDONED PROPERTY	1
ABC-VIOLATIONS-CITATIONS	1
AGRRESSIVE ANIMAL	1
ALARM-COMMERCIAL-HOLD UP	1
ALARM-RESIDENTIAL-PRIORITY	1
ANIMAL BARKING	1
ASSIST OTHER AGENCY	1
DV-ADW- WITH INJURY	1
DWI	1
FOUND PROPERTY	1
HARASSING PHONE CALLS	1
HIT & RUN-IN ROADWAY-PROPERTY DAMAGE	1
HIT & RUN-NON ROADWAY-PROPERTY DAMAGE	1
LOITERING-SALE/PURCHASE DRUGS	1
MISSING PERSON	1
MISSING PERSON-RUNAWAY	1
MISSING PERSON-SPEC NEEDS/CHILD	1
MISSING PERSONS RECOVERY	1
NOISE COMPLAINT-CROWD	1
NOTIFY	1
PICK UP PROPERTY OR EVIDENCE	1
PUBLIC URINATION	1
RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT	1
ROAD BLOCKAGE	1
ROBBERY FROM PERSON-ARMED	1
WILD ANIMAL	1

REPORTED INCIDENTS

Filter Criteria: from 1/1/2011 to 8/14/2011
Summary

Incident Type	Count
Non-aggravated Assault	85
Residential Burglary	50
Larceny-Other	37
Other Criminal Charge	33
Vandalism	26
Hit and Run	20
Larceny from Auto	17
Fraud	13
Mfg./Sale of Opium, Cocaine Derivative	11
Other Non-criminal Incident	9
Auto Theft	8
Commercial Burglary	8
Aggravated Assault-Other Weapon	7
Possession of Marijuana	7
Armed Robbery	6
Larceny-Shoplifting	6
Sudden or Accidental Death	5
Trespass	5
Alcohol Violation-Other	4
Forgery	4
Larceny from Building	4
Aggravated Assault-Knife	3
Mfg./Sale of Marijuana	3
Missing Person-Age 16 and Over	3
Possession of Opium, Cocaine Derivative	3
Strong Arm Robbery	3
Aggravated Assault-Gun	2
Arson	2
Concealed Weapon-Firearm	2
Larceny of Bicycle	2
Prostitution-Soliciting	2
Sex Offense-Other	2
Stolen Property	2
Counterfeiting	1
Crime Against Family-Other	1
Disorderly Conduct-Affray/Other	1
Embezzlement	1
Homicide	1
Mfg./Sale of Dangerous Non-narcotic	1
Possession of Dangerous Non-narcotic	1
Possession of Synthetic Narcotic	1
Rape	1
Residential Burglary-Storage Bldg	1
Sex Offense-Indecent Exposure	1
Suicide	1