Charlotte: Operation SCARLET

Life in a post-pandemic world has been delightful for many Americans. More people are traveling, returning to the office, and enjoying life without wearing masks. However, the negative effects of quarantine have changed society forever. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 million in 2021). An uptick in untreated juvenile mental health leads to more crimes happening on-site and throughout the city.

Last year, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said property crimes involving juveniles increased by 86%, and auto thefts increased by 8%. Rental property owners have an already full plate managing their teams and properties while making sure residents feel safe. Now, local owners/operators must also worry about car theft. According to WCNC, local police reported 28 victims of vehicle crimes at MAA Reserve last year. What are local elected officials doing to protect residents from growing crimes committed by juveniles?

In April of last year, CMPD created a multi-agency task force named Operation SCARLET (Stolen Car & Recovery Law Enforcement Team) to investigate a large network of crimes centered around car theft. “We’re going to continue to see our Charlotte residents preyed upon by juveniles who do not fear repercussions for their actions. Our officers are constantly playing catch-and-release with the same groups of young people. This is what the CMPD and the public are up against,” said Special Investigations Bureau Major Michael Ford. What if elected officials address juvenile mental health issues to prevent crime from happening?

The answer could be The Katie Blessing Center, the largest pediatric behavioral health resource in North Carolina. The goal is to transform an abandoned building in East Charlotte into an inpatient and outpatient facility for people under 18 years old. They will offer long-term, short-term, and emergency mental health care for juveniles. The $65 million project will create 72 beds for pediatric behavioral health care. Founder and CEO Michael Estramonte said, “70% of kids that are in the juvenile justice system right now also have a mental healthcare diagnosis.” He believes youth mental health and crime go hand in hand. The center requested $2.5 million in the city budget under the city’s overall plan to reduce juvenile crime. During last week’s City Council meeting, $2.5 million was unanimously approved to fund The Katie Blessing Center, a facility from StarMed Healthcare. By prioritizing juvenile mental health programs, elected officials are doing what is needed to better society. Construction will take about a year, and The Katie Blessing Center hopes to open next year. Could Mecklenburg County see a decrease in juvenile crimes within the next few years? It’s highly likely that The Katie Blessing Center will help solve youth mental health problems and eliminate many car thefts happening on-site and throughout the city. Addressing juvenile mental health not only helps an individual and their family, but it also protects Charlotte residents and betters the community.