News-Record.com

With crime in Charlotte increasing, city officials are stepping up -- and not just in the area of policing.

A memo from City Manager Curt Walton to the mayor and City Council proposes steps beyond the city's normal law-enforcement function.

"The primary challenge, however, is how to expand the capacity of the criminal justice system to deal with criminals once they are beyond the control of the CMPD (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department)," Walton wrote. "Re-arresting repeat offenders for the same crimes is as frustrating for the CMPD as it is for our citizens."

Walton's recommendations, which the council will consider tonight, include:

* expanding the number of electronic monitoring devices for repeat offenders;

* funding technology improvements in the offices of the district attorney and trial court administrator;

* funding additional staffing in the DA's office;

* developing a property crimes court and taking other steps to expedite the prosecution of property crimes.

These are expensive proposals in an area where the state, not local governments, has total funding responsibility. But if the state isn't addressing problems adequately, locals have to step up.

That's the feeling right now in Charlotte, anyway. I don't know about Greensboro or High Point.

Frankly, the days of "it's not my job" in terms of government responsibilities should be numbered. Public safely is government's job at every level. It just doesn't make sense that local law-enforcement agencies can keep arresting criminals, only to see state government agencies (the courts, prison system, probation-parole) either let them off or lose track of them.

Walton outlined the desired effect of providing more resources for the DA's office:

"This would result in defendants being placed under supervision or in prison sooner and also accomplish the following:

* No plea bargains for habitual felons;

* All residential breaking and entering cases will continue to be prosecuted as felonies and the state will request active time in every case;

* All auto larcency, possession of stolen vehicle, and breaking and entering of motor vehicle cases acceptable for prosecution will be prosecuted as felonies and not as misdemeanors;

* All felony plea offers will increase in severity."

These are tough, blunt proposals. Walton also makes clear he's not excusing the police of responsibility:

"The recommendations in this memo are made to complement, not replace, enforcement of the law. In fact, it amplifies enforcement efforts by making consequences tougher; however, much of the crime in our city is committed by repeat offenders. Until there are increased options for prosecuting, incarcerating or at least monitoring the behavior of this targeted group of offenders, CMPD's efforts will be minimized."

Are circumstances much different in Greensboro and High Point? I don't think so. How do we want to respond?