In Mecklenburg and 14 surrounding counties, from Caldwell to Lancaster, S.C., investigators last year reported break-ins at nearly 16,600 homes. Although burglary rates in our area, measured per 1,000 residents, are mostly dropping, property crime remains up to seven times more common than violent crime. Some neighboring sheriffs blame Mecklenburg criminals who cross over. They just ride around looking for a likely target,'' said Cabarrus Sheriff Robert Canaday, whose county has a growing burglary rate. A home break-in is the most frightening kind of crime many of us will encounter.
Burglary erodes the sense of security that many in the Charlotte area cherish.
Police now recognize that a starting point for some juveniles is homes break-ins, followed by more serious and violent crimes. Some departments have established new programs aimed at those young offenders. And the Mecklenburg district attorney's office has formed a team of prosecutors to deal with property crimes. Still, some wonder if that's enough. Charlotte's burglary rates remain higher than similar-size cities such as Jacksonville and Nashville.