22-02-2025
CMPD hopes SWITCH initiative, state legislation help reduce shootings into dwellings by teens
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Shootings into occupied dwellings have spike across Charlotte in recent years.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police records show there were 856 such shootings last year, many of those perpetrated by teens, 16 and 17 years old.
Growing issue of shootings into occupied homes in Charlotte has residents frustrated
The department is launching a new initiative to combat these indiscriminate, often dangerous and sometimes deadly crimes called SWITCH or Safety Wellness Initiative Towards Community Households.
'The act of a drive-by shooting into homes in unacceptable, and we must SWITCH the mindset of those committing these crimes and explore ways to enhance community trust,' said CMPD Det. Dabbin Brathwaite. 'These violent attacks create fear and trauma for the entire community and have a lasting impact on the mindset of each adult and child seeing and hearing these incidents occur.'
The SWITCH initiative will supplement the ongoing efforts of patrol officers. The new program hopes to be a deterrent to crime since HB 834 went into effect in December, where 16- and 17–year-old juveniles can charged as adults for Class A-E Felonies.
CMPD Det. Dabbin Brathwaite hopes this new program will help young men and women to think twice about committing these shootings.
'Our focus and mission is to switch the mindsets of the individuals who are responsible for such crimes but also the mindset of our community members our Charlotte citizens who have that viable information that could lead to these arrests,' he said.
To further encourage community engagement, a $500 reward is being offered for any information on shootings into occupied dwellings where an arrest is made. Call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or submit an anonymous tip by phone to the P3 Tips App.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
