Charlotte committee pushes public‑safety bill list to Raleigh, asks council to adopt legislative agenda
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Summary
The BGIR committee recommended a state and federal legislative agenda focused on public safety — mental‑health resources, recruitment/retention for law enforcement, justice system capacity, a local juvenile detention center and transit‑operator protections — and urged adoption this month so the city can advocate in Raleigh and in federal forums.
The Budget, Governance & Intergovernmental Relations committee presented a state and federal legislative agenda that centers public‑safety asks the city will urge state lawmakers to consider.
Chair Dimple Ajmera told council the committee prioritized mental‑health investments, officer recruitment and retention, resources across the justice system (including the district attorney and public defenders), and re‑establishing a local juvenile detention facility. Ajmera said the committee also recommended stronger penalties for assaults on transit operators and investments to make roads and the transportation system safer.
“Violent crime is down 21%,” Ajmera said while summarizing the committee’s research and the chief’s testimony in Raleigh that day. Committee materials split the agenda into tier 1 (highest priority) and tier 2 items so the city could be specific in its asks while keeping a broader policy list for other matters.
Council members asked for specificity on several items, including the juvenile detention proposal and red‑light camera policy language. Staff said they would provide more detailed language and a handout; Ajmera said the council will be asked to adopt the agenda later this month to meet lobbying and federal advocacy deadlines.
Next steps: staff will provide full materials and refined legislative language ahead of a council vote later in February so city advocates can meet with state and federal lawmakers in March.