Building Trust, Building Neighborhoods: Charlotte’s Holistic Approach to Safe Communities 🌍
At the January 6th City Council meeting, Charlotte’s leaders outlined a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and quality of life by focusing on collaboration, trust, and community engagement. Moving beyond traditional law enforcement models, the city is leveraging partnerships with residents, city departments, and nonprofit organizations to tackle safety challenges holistically.
📺 Click here to watch the full meeting.
The Foundation: Community Engagement
Neighborhood engagement is at the heart of Charlotte’s approach to public safety. City officials emphasized the importance of building trust with residents to address the root causes of safety concerns and foster lasting solutions.
Rebecca Hefner, Director of Housing & Neighborhood Services, described it as a collaborative effort:
“The community engagement and relationship management are essential to fostering trust and collaboration and working together to develop successful solutions.”
Key initiatives include:
- Neighborhood Engagement Liaisons: Each district now has a dedicated liaison to connect with residents and identify pressing community needs.
- Apartment Community Outreach: A renewed focus on reaching apartment residents has yielded significant engagement successes, addressing a long-standing gap in outreach.
Signature Programs Promoting Safety
Through programs like the Neighborhood Matching Grants and Neighborhood Board Retreats, Charlotte has provided residents with tools to discuss and implement safety-focused initiatives. One standout event was the World Café-style retreat, where neighborhoods explored questions like:
- What assets exist in the community that can be leveraged for safety?
- What innovative strategies can build trust and belonging among residents?
These discussions mirror the concerns voiced by council members, who have consistently highlighted the importance of addressing safety from multiple angles.
Beyond Policing: A Holistic Vision
The city’s strategy goes beyond visible safety measures, addressing systemic issues such as economic mobility, housing stability, and infrastructure improvements.
Hefner pointed to the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods initiative as an example of this integrated approach.
“It’s about bringing all of this work together—residents, city departments, and nonprofit partners—to address challenges comprehensively in specific areas,” she said.
This initiative ranges from large neighborhoods like Plaza Eastway to smaller apartment complexes like Little Rock Apartments, where the city has worked with residents to form new associations and bring resources like office space for outreach teams.
Tackling Complex Challenges
One of the central themes of the meeting was the complexity of the issues many residents face. From housing insecurity to unsafe living conditions, these challenges often require cross-departmental collaboration.
Key efforts include:
- Code Enforcement: Securing vacant properties, addressing nuisance abatement, and maintaining clean and green environments.
- Support for Unhoused Residents: Expanded street outreach teams provide wellness checks and connect residents with resources through platforms like the CLT+ app.
Resident-Driven Solutions
Council members praised the city’s efforts but emphasized the need for continued resident involvement in shaping solutions. Council Member Renee Johnson stressed:
“When we’re creating a design for someone’s life, it’s critical to include the people living it. This is their neighborhood—we have to listen to their voices.”
Looking Ahead: Collaboration Is Key
The council recognized that the city cannot tackle these challenges alone. Strengthening partnerships with Mecklenburg County agencies, schools, and faith-based organizations was highlighted as a crucial next step.
Council Member Malcolm Graham pointed to Catherine Simmons Avenue as an example of a community where collaboration is urgently needed. “We need to be intentional about wrapping our services around these areas and addressing what residents need most,” he said.
How You Can Get Involved
Residents are encouraged to participate in neighborhood programs and share feedback with their district liaisons. Community engagement isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation of Charlotte’s vision for safer, thriving neighborhoods.
📢 For more information on programs like Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, visit Charlotte Mercury.
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