One step forward for Charlotte PD




The City of Charlotte has formed a Charlotte Police Advisory Committee in their efforts to create a Charlotte Police Department. Making up the committee are, from left, Margarita Morales from Congressman Henry Cuellar’s Office, Charlotte Councilman Steven Porter, Charlotte Mayor Christi Rankin, EMC Strategy Group President and CEO Ernie Gonzalez, Charlotte City Secretary Gracie Garcia, Utilities Administrator Laura Morales and Chairman Rick Luna. SAN ANTONIO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | COURTESY PHOTO

The City of Charlotte has formed a Charlotte Police Advisory Committee in their efforts to create a Charlotte Police Department. Making up the committee are, from left, Margarita Morales from Congressman Henry Cuellar’s Office, Charlotte Councilman Steven Porter, Charlotte Mayor Christi Rankin, EMC Strategy Group President and CEO Ernie Gonzalez, Charlotte City Secretary Gracie Garcia, Utilities Administrator Laura Morales and Chairman Rick Luna. SAN ANTONIO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | COURTESY PHOTO

The City of Charlotte has formed a Charlotte Police Advisory Committee who meets regularly as they progress in creating the Charlotte Police Department.

The committee, made up of city staff including Charlotte Mayor Christi Rankin and Chairman Rick Luna, is following suggested guidelines provided by the US Department of Justice, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Texas Police Chiefs Association and the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a safer environment for their residents. The police department would enforce local and state laws by having a professional operated law enforcement for everyone’s safety.

Mayor Rankin has proposed the idea of a police department for as long as she has been on city council and now as mayor. Rankin said the Charlotte PD will offer protection and safety for current residents and bring new people into the area knowing there is an established law enforcement presence.

“I think this [police department] is going to be a really good booster to the city,” said Rankin. “People don’t want to move to a town that they don’t feel safe in, and the revenue we will be making off of tickets will totally fund the whole police department. Although, citations are not our primary goal, but the safety of our community.”

At the July 24 council meeting, a working budget of $150,000 was presented and approved as the committee’s starting point. However, $50,000 of that is money the city won’t have to use as they take advantage of grant opportunities with the help of EMC Strategy Group, LLC. The police department will also receive revenue from citations that can offset costs, allowing the city to not only make money, but not lose any either. Items considered in the working budget right now are office expenses for $3,700, licenses for $4,200, vehicle maintenance for $124,000 and equipment maintenance for $17,499, totaling $149,399.

Currently, the city is working on the hiring process for applications of employment and the action to post the position of what they want in a Charlotte Police Chief based on their job profile. The timeline to get everything situated is by the first week of December, according to Ernie Gonzalez, Jr., President and CEO of EMC Strategy Group, LLC.

“It takes about 60 to 90 days to authorize the city to create the police department,” said Gonzalez. “In the meantime, we will fill the police chief, sergeant and patrol positions. By October, we should have the legal paperwork back so patrol can hit the ground running.”

Arturo Cordova is just one resident, however, who expressed his concerns for the PD. He believes a small town like Charlotte can’t afford a police department with beliefs that city taxes will go up and there not being a need for a police department. Cordova spent over 20 years in the Criminal Justice field where he focused on working at the Atascosa Juvenile Probation Department and stated that the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office currently does a good job of being there for the City of Charlotte.

“I strongly believe that the police department will not give us protection 24/7,” said Cordova. “I believe the City of Charlotte cannot handle it.”

The Charlotte Police Department’s location is still in the works. However, there will be a public meeting on Aug. 11 at the Charlotte Public Library Community Room, located at 8 Couser Blvd., to introduce and discuss this new project to the Charlotte community. Residents are encouraged to participate in this public meeting with any questions, concerns or comments.

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