"I can't keep trying to say Uptown is safe:" CMPD chief exits as crime concerns mount
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Jennings speaks at Hood Hargett Breakfast Club. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
In his last speaking engagement as police chief, Johnny Jennings admitted he's frustrated with the persistent violence in Uptown, as well as the overall perception of safety in Charlotte, especially after the fatal Aug. 22 stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on the light rail.
Why it matters: Even as the killing put a national spotlight on Charlotte, Jennings has maintained a low profile since announcing his retirement in May and accepting a $305,000 settlement from the city.
What he's saying: "I could have had five officers on that same train with her, and I don't know if we would have caught that in time," Jennings told an private audience at a business luncheon Tuesday. "It just happened so fast."
The big picture: The stabbing fueled the narrative that Charlotte, particularly Uptown, is increasingly becoming unsafe.
- "I kind of felt like I was banging my head against the wall," Jennings reflected. "Every time I try to say, 'Hey, Uptown is safe' — something crazy like that would happen ... I can't keep trying to say Uptown is safe because people don't want to hear that. People's perception of Uptown is that they're not safe."
By the numbers: Although overall citywide violent crime is down 20% from last year, violence in the Uptown patrol area is up about 12%, according to Central Division statistics.
- Nine homicides occurred there this year through Sept. 30, 2025, compared with three in the same period in 2024.
- Robberies are up 10.9%, aggravated assaults rose 10.3% and vehicle theft has increased 8.5%.
Context: Jennings acknowledged crime spiked back up in Uptown this year, which he says was frustrating because Charlotte Center City Partners and CMPD were actively trying to reverse the "perception" that crime is out of control through the work of a public safety task force.
- "When you hear about something in center city, it's big news," he said. "That's where we come to live, work and play."
- Jennings reemphasized that repeat offenders challenge the police department, which is short about 160 officers.
- A city the size of Charlotte should have about 2,400 to 2,500 officers, he says. It's allocated about 1,940 sworn positions.
Catch up quick: The suspect charged with Zarutska's murder, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a criminal record. He had recently been arrested for misusing 911 and was out on a written promise to appear, with no other pending court cases.
- After the attack, North Carolina passed "Iryna's Law," which eliminated cashless bail.
- CMPD, for years, has stressed that the stretched-thin department is deploying its resources to arrest the same offenders, especially juveniles.
- "It's not always about, 'Oh, we need more police officers in this area,'" Jennings said. "What are we in society accepting? And who's not getting processed through the system appropriately?"
What's next: On Monday, Jennings helped introduce Estella Patterson, Raleigh's former chief, as CMPD's next chief. Patterson starts Dec. 1.
- Patterson has vowed to eradicate CMPD's vacancies, increase the overall size of the police force and hold "prolific" offenders accountable. She says Jennings has been a mentor to her.
- Jennings' retirement is effective Jan. 1.