Criminal Justice Community Engagement Task Group

The Criminal Justice Community Engagement Task Group was created in 2021 as part of Mecklenburg County's Safety and Justice Challenge Initiative. The task group is comprised of 12 members from the community of diverse backgrounds. 

The Criminal Justice Community Engagement Task Group serves as a liaison between the community and the criminal justice system to help build trust and transparency. The task group works to:

  • Provide recommendations to the Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG) on specific topics, as directed by the CJAG.

  • Collaborate with criminal justice stakeholders to teach a community build up and criminal justice learning series. 

  • Attend and participate in meetings related to Criminal Justice.

In January 2023, the Community Engagement Task Group presented a six-month plan to Criminal Justice Advisory Group (CJAG). The Community Engagement Task Group’s strategic plan focuses on supporting neighborhoods in identifying gaps and resources needed to build a viable, sustainable, and equitable greater Mecklenburg County community through engagement, education, and empowerment. The plan is approved and has been in the implementation phase since March 2023.

Strategic Plan and Reports

Community Engagement Partners:

  • Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services.
  • Magistrate's Office.
  • Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
  • District Attorney's Office.
  • Public Defender's Office.
  • Hidden Valley Community Association.
  • Hidden Valley Faith Community.
  • Hidden Valley Elementary School.
  • University City Partners.
  • Hidden Valley Optimist Club.
  • Communities Doing Good, Inc.
  • Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
  • Judges.
  • Mecklenburg County Community Support Services.
  • City of Charlotte Community Relations Committee / Dispute Settlement.
  • City of Charlotte Housing and Neighborhood Services.

Past Workgroup Activities in Response to Community Feedback:

  • Partnered with the Hidden Valley Community on the Hidden Valley Community JamFest (4/14/2018).

  • Hosted Educational Resource Fair at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School (2/8/2018).

  • Exploring opportunities to collaborate on an Educational Garden at Hidden Valley Elementary School.

  • Collaborated with CMPD and Charlotte's Community Resource Council to provide community/pop-up mediation within the Hidden Valley community.

  • Developed series of resource fairs to share information about services available within the local justice system and Mecklenburg County.

  • Participated in the Hidden Valley Community's Annual Parade and Festival (12/2/2017).

  • Active partner in CMPD's Community Empowerment Initiative (10/2017 - present).

  • Co-Hosted Community Forum with the Hidden Valley Community Association (9/5/2017).

  • Attended Hidden Valley National Night Out (8/1/2017).