Latest news with #CMPD
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Charlotte bar is so dangerous, police officers won't respond alone
A northeast Charlotte bar is so dangerous police officers will not respond to calls there alone, and the ABC Commission is stepping in to stop the violence. There are dozens reports of violence, including a homicide in April, that have been reported over the last few years at Mi Cabana Bar and Night Club on Eastway Drive, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's crime map. READ MORE: 1 killed after shooting in northeast Charlotte In March, CMPD officials said people were beaten outside of the bar with metal pipes as they left. One person had to be admitted to the ICU. In April, Javier Hernandez was shot and killed there. People who live and work nearby describe Mi Cabana the same way. 'Sketchy as hell,' a man old Channel 9's Joe Bruno. 'There was a lot of sketchy stuff going on.' CMPD officials said crimes happened after the bar was supposed to be closed. There has been one homicide, two weapons law violations, three robberies and three aggravated assaults since July 22, 2023, CMPD said. There have been 28 calls for service at the bar. The ABC Commission is pulling permits from Mi Cabana after CMPD officers submitted sworn affidavits saying the owner consistently sells alcoholic beverages to patrons after 2 a.m. because she makes more money selling after hours. Many crimes happen after the bar is closed. Jefry Gonzalez Artica shot and killed Javier Hernandez at around 6 a.m., CMPD said. The owner turned off the lights to get everyone to leave and walked past the victim, who was laying on the ground by the entrance, gasping for breath, CMPD said. In 2010, Channel 9 reported that CMPD got it temporarily shut down after a series of violent crimes. It eventually reopened and some hope this punishment sticks. It's about time it should be shut down. CMPD says this place is so dangerous, they won't send an officer without backup. The club can appeal the suspension of its permits. VIDEO: 1 dead after shooting at University City sports bar, CMPD says Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
O.C. mayors, first responders to bring mayhem to fairgrounds during Motorhome Madness
Typically tasked with protecting lives and instilling law and order among their respective citizenries, a group of local first responders and city officials will be bringing some serious mayhem next week to the Orange County fairgrounds. Firefighters, police and mayors from Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and jurisdictions beyond will suit up during a two-evening spectacle next Wednesday and Thursday at the O.C. Fair's Action Sports Arena — the Motorhome Madness demolition derby. An annual fundraiser benefiting Children's Hospital of Orange County, the first night will feature a melee of officers, crew members and civic leaders behind the wheels of various vehicles in a couple of different crash configurations. Some will compete on a figure-8 track, where drivers will do their best to damage their opponents without self-destructing, while fire and police chiefs from Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Orange and Anaheim will participate in an on-field RV battle until only one is left standing. Competing for the first time in the figure-8 challenge is Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens who, on Wednesday night, will take the wheel of an old Lincoln sedan. Stephens was roped into this year's action by Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton for a bit of friendly intercity rivalry. 'I do feel a bit as if I'm racing against Ricky Bobby and they're going to do some kind of shake 'n bake maneuver to give Joe Stapleton the trophy,' Stephens joked Wednesday, referencing the comedic 2006 film 'Talladega Nights.' 'I've got to work on something with [Laguna Beach Mayor] Alex Rounaghi to come up with a good strategy against that,' the Costa Mesa mayor added. Thursday night's motorhome skirmish will feature Costa Mesa's Fire Chief Dan Stefano and Interim Police Chief Joyce LaPointe, Laguna Beach's Fire Chief Niko King (last year's champion) and Police Chief Jeff Calvert, along with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes and Huntington Beach Fire Chief Eric McCoy. And if the banter on social media is to be believed, this year's competition promises to be fierce, according to Stefano. While the now-retired Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence failed to place in past stints at the arena, newcomer LaPointe has a reputation that precedes her. In her decades with the department, LaPointe has gained experience on patrol, bike patrol, as a field training officer, traffic officer, defensive tactics instructor and a tactical flight officer. That fact is not lost on Stefano, who plans to initially target motorhomes helmed by police from other municipalities, but may be forced into a grill-to-grill grudge match with his CMPD counterpoint. 'It's her first year doing it, but she has more than enough skills for it,' he said Wednesday. 'Chief Lawrence, who was there before, had some challenges in that arena, so [LaPointe's] looking to reset the bar for the Costa Mesa side of the house.' Smack talk aside, competitors are united in one thing — a desire to raise as much as they can for Children's Hospital of Orange County. In fact, philanthropy is at the heart of the event, started more than a decade ago by Dave Padua, owner of Costa Mesa-based Southside Towing. Padua, a Huntington Beach resident, said he and his then-4-year-old son Tyler saw an RV participate in a Monster Jams rally and became fixated on the idea of entering a motorhome in a demolition derby at the O.C. fairgrounds. That one entry attracted would-be competitors, Padua recalled. 'The next thing you know, another tow company had three RVs and took me out,' he said. 'Now, we have six police and six firemen crashing into each other, and it sells out every year.' Southside Towing provides many of the vehicles for the annual demolition derby, whether they come directly from the lot or are brought in as donations from other tow yards. Padua also assists first responders in an annual visit to the bedsides of CHOC patients. That's where the real action takes place, he says. 'If you're at CHOC, you're not at a happy place — you're scared because your little 4- or 5-year-old has something wrong with them,' Padua said Wednesday. 'A lot of parents probably can't afford insurance, and CHOC is taking care of their little kid. That's what we're raising money for.' Doors open for Motorhome Madness July 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m., with the shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. both nights. All proceeds benefit CHOC and include free same-day admission to the O.C. Fair. To purchase tickets or donate directly to the cause, visit
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lyles, Brown expected to file for reelection in Charlotte today
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and District 3 Councilmember Tiawana Brown are planning to file for re-election Wednesday, facing primary challenges in their respective races. Lyles is seeking a fifth term in office, and she's already facing a primary challenge. One candidate, Tigress Acute Sydney McDaniel, has filed to run, but former mayor Jennifer Roberts has hinted at a possible run for her former seat. Community activist Gemini Boyd also says he is planning to run. Brown's decision to run for reelection comes amid legal challenges, as she is currently federally indicted for alleged fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program. RELATED >> City councilmember, daughters indicted on PPP fraud charges Brown said she remains committed to her campaign. She's currently facing competition from Montravias King and Joi Mayo in the primary. Filing for the upcoming election ends this Friday at noon. (VIDEO: Mayor Vi Lyles backs CMPD chief amid possible lawsuit against city council)
Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa police seize 1,339 lbs of illegal fireworks, warn residents to stay safe
Costa Mesa police are warning residents to avoid seasonal dangers during this year's three-day Independence Day weekend, sharing news of a buy-bust operation that led to three arrests and the seizure of 1,339 pounds of illegal fireworks, drugs and a gun. Along with social media announcements of the city's zero tolerance policy for explosives beyond those deemed 'safe and sane,' news of the bust comes an annual operational enhancement aimed at minimizing citations and fireworks-related calls for service during the holiday. Costa Mesa Police Department spokeswoman Roxi Fyad confirmed the suspects involved in the busts — carried out by detectives with the Special Investigations Unit — were detained for attempting to sell illegal fireworks online to officers who posed as customers and met suspects at locations in town. The detective work is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness and educate residents about the city's rules surrounding the purchase and detonation of fireworks, particularly for those living in certain 'hot spot' areas, where calls for service climb as Independence Day approaches. Legal fireworks, available at city-approved stands, may be purchased from June 30 through July 4 and must be marked with a 'safe and sane' logo designated by the State Fire Marshal's office. However, they can only be discharged Wednesday through Friday, from 4 to 10 p.m. at a distance of at least 20 feet from viewers. Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano teamed up with now retired Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence in a video aired last week on social media to remind locals that possessing or setting off illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines of up to $1,000 or even jail time, while selling such combustibles is a felony offense. Both departments have increased staffing and patrols to keep an eye out for illegal activities and potential fire hazards, newly appointed CMPD Interim Chief Joyce LaPointe shared Wednesday. 'Every year, we hear from residents about how frustrated they are due to the use of illegal fireworks,' LaPointe wrote in an email. 'We understand that frustration; it is challenging to catch and cite those that use illegal fireworks. Despite the challenge, we stay focused on enforcement.' Last year, the police department fielded 336 firework-related calls for service, 47 of which requested a police presence on scene. That figure is nearly half of the 668 calls placed in 2020, according to CMPD's 2024 Fourth of July Holiday Report. Between July 4 and 5, 2024, police and fire teams responded to nine trash or dumpster fires, one brush fire, four tree fires, three still alarms and two fire alarms, issuing four citations and arresting four people for misdemeanor firework-related municipal code violations, the report indicates.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Homicide investigation underway after shooting in northeast Charlotte
Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred late Thursday night in northeast Charlotte. Officers responded to a shooting around 11:30 p.m. on Merrick Street, according to a release from CMPD. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, MEDIC confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, and CMPD will release additional information as it becomes available. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the authorities. This is a developing story. Check back with for updates. VIDEO: Family of Khari Wilkes to host memorial walk as search for suspects continues
