How to improve public safety in North Carolina

North Carolina Rep. Carolyn Logan.

The tragic death of Iryna Zarutska has brought sharp focus to public safety and the role of government in protecting its citizens. 

The assassinations of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, along with right wing political commentator Charlie Kirk, further underscore the urgent need to rethink public safety in today's world. These events also highlight a broader reality facing North Carolina's metropolitan areas: we are growing rapidly. 

Charlotte, in particular, is evolving beyond its identity as a Southern city into a modern, globally connected urban center. Our approach to public safety must reflect and keep pace with that growth.

My career in law enforcement spans more than 30 years. I began as the first Black female sworn member of the Asheville Police Department and was later recruited by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, where I became the first Black female trooper in the history of our state. I ultimately retired from that organization as the first female to complete 30 years of service in law enforcement – a testament to my dedication. 

Since 1985, I have worked in Mecklenburg County, where I spent my time working with courts, crime prevention, traffic safety, and my community.

Even in retirement, my commitment to public safety and criminal justice has remained unwavering. I continued to contribute by teaching classes at several community colleges, mentoring the next generation of professionals. I became an active member of multiple law enforcement associations and served on the Mecklenburg County Commissioners' Citizens' Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. 

Additionally, I worked for seven years as a traffic incident management coordinator with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In 2018, I ran for the state House of Representatives, representing District 101 in Mecklenburg County.

During my four terms in the House, I introduced a wide range of bills focused on improving public safety in Mecklenburg and across our state. These included efforts to increase the number of magistrates in Mecklenburg, expand the presence of State Highway Patrol troopers in the county, make death by reckless boating a crime, increase the penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus, and authorize the use of highway cameras to record traffic violations. 

I also worked to raise salaries for those who serve in juvenile justice and advanced many other initiatives designed to strengthen safety, accountability, and trust.

As a state representative, I served on multiple committees regarding public safety and criminal justice. I was appointed by then-Speaker of the House Tim Moore to serve on the Select Committee on Community Relations, Law Enforcement, and Justice, established in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

I also created the Bipartisan Justice and Public Safety Caucus with membership from both parties.

With steadfast resolve, I am determined to honor the commitment that the family of Iryna Zarutska has asked of us – all the leaders of Charlotte, Mecklenburg, and North Carolina – that we advance meaningful reforms to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Therefore, I propose several paths forward – to follow through the family's wishes and strengthen public safety for every community and every family across North Carolina.

Improving local police

We must begin by strengthening our local police. Across North Carolina, every law enforcement agency is facing staffing shortages, and too often, those shortages mean that police forces do not fully reflect the communities they serve. 

At the state level, we should provide grants to local governments to help grow their departments with a force that is truly representative of the communities they protect. These grants should also raise salaries, so that officers can afford to live in and be part of the communities they are sworn to protect.

Equally important, funding must support expanded in-service training that equips officers to meet the challenges of modern policing, including training in de-escalation, situational awareness, ethics, and other evolving areas of community need. A well-supported and well-trained police force is vital to public safety and community well-being.

Transportation safety

There has understandably been greater attention on transportation, but it is essential to recognize that we must address two distinct needs: public transportation and road safety.

Investment in our light rail system should prioritize enhancing security by ensuring a stronger and more visible safety presence. To support this, certain state or local laws may need to be updated to allow official deputization of light rail security personnel. 

The state should also provide funding to upgrade city bus fleets, ensuring they are equipped with stronger protections and other critical necessities for riders.

At the same time, we must increase funding to repair and modernize our roads, while ensuring that emergency responders are fully trained and equipped with the necessary technology and resources to quickly and effectively activate traffic incident management techniques. These steps will improve the quality of our transportation systems and make travel safer for all.

Court system

The General Assembly funds the North Carolina court system, and meaningful change must begin there.

By increasing the number of magistrates and strengthening their training, more cases can be heard fairly and with the knowledge needed to reach the right decisions. Reforms must also include updating the technology used in our courts – so magistrates and clerks can enter information quickly, and attorneys on both sides can file what they need without delay.

Furthermore, the General Assembly should provide greater support for public defenders, including higher salaries. A well-resourced public defender system guarantees every person's constitutional right to due process while ensuring that cases move forward without unnecessary delays or errors.

In addition, district attorney offices across the state need more assistant district attorneys to manage their caseloads effectively. This will allow each case to receive the time and attention it deserves, without overburdening the offices or risking the quality of justice delivered. Finally, the General Assembly should explore support for technical improvements that can address long-standing problems in our legal and court processes.

Prisons/jails

Our prison system must focus not only on punishment, but also on rehabilitation. Striking this balance is challenging, yet essential.

We need to increase salaries and compensation for those who work in our prison and juvenile systems, recognizing the critical role they play. At the same time, we must invest more in mental health services and addiction treatment within our prisons. Expanding support for rehabilitation and strengthening reentry programs will give individuals a real chance to rebuild their lives and will help reduce repeat offenses.

Social services

More funding should be directed to social services – such as mental health care, homelessness programs, and hunger relief – because these supports are essential to rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses.

This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point. Many safety measures – such as establishing death by reckless boating, providing bulletproof glass for law enforcement vehicles, ensuring the Metrolina Transportation Center in Charlotte remains open 24/7, and more – can and should be strengthened to protect all North Carolinians.

My colleagues and I, as Democrats in the General Assembly, have introduced numerous public safety bills that the Republican Majority, as I put it, put the bills in File 13. Where Republicans repeatedly refuse to hear our bills (no matter how good they are) and leave them to die in the Rules Committee.

It is time for our colleagues across the aisle to stop blocking progress and embrace initiatives Democrats have advanced to support law enforcement and strengthen our criminal justice system. Democrats stand ready to work together to create and improve laws that serve the people and make our communities safer.

Carolyn Logan of Charlotte represents North Carolina House District 101.

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