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Officers more visible to keep Speed Street safe

Over the three-day Speed Street, about 400,000 people are expected to swarm Uptown Charlotte for the fun.

This year, some in the crowd noticed changes.

"Years past were bigger and funner. More stages. This year, (it's) smaller, one stage and definitely more police officers," said Jennifer Parker.

Officers are visible on patrol and watching in ways that some may not see.

Cameras installed just before the Democratic National Convention help monitor crowds to make sure fans follow the rules.

Also, for the first time at this event, officials activated the Joint Information Center. It's a central location where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, fire, medical and transportation crews pool their knowledge to keep people safe.

"Anytime there is a large-scale event with opps for information, you want to manage that info and then accurately get the facts, share it with any of the stakeholders," Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said.

Those Eyewitness News spoke with are confident that this extra attention to security will pay off.

_{Fri, 24 May 2013 22:31:56 -0400}

2 charged with growing marijuana in Watauga Co. home

Drug detectives in Watauga County said they found more than $450,000 worth of marijuana growing inside a home.

The Watauga County Sheriff's Office charged Jason Blount and Geneva Natale with cultivating and selling pot.

Detectives said they found a well-developed growing system using water, not soil.

_{Fri, 24 May 2013 22:28:04 -0400}

Police search for bank robber after 2 banks targeted

Police are looking for a bank robber who they said targeted banks in Mooresville and Huntersville on Friday.

Mooresville police believe the man tried to rob the Fifth Third bank on North Main Street first, but didn't get any cash. Then less than two hours later, just after noon, the robber hit a bank on Gilead Road in Huntersville.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the Fifth Third Bank in Huntersville minutes after the robbery. A nearby school was put on lockdown. Officers said the robber demanded money from the teller and took off with the cash. Bryant Jackson, who lives nearby, wasn't surprised.

"We live in world where things are just happening," Jackson said. "There have been several bank robberies recently."

Eyewitness News asked police if Friday's robberies may also be connected to recent bank robberies in Troutman and Statesville.

"We have been reaching out to Troutman Police Department as well as Statesville PD and the FBI to make sure this may or may not be related to them," Capt. Joe Cooke with Mooresville Police said.

Mooresville police are worried the robber could strike again.

"He did not succeed in ours," Cooke said. "He did succeed in obtaining cash in Huntersville so what's to say he's not going to do it again."
If you have any information about these recent bank robberies, you're urged to call police.

_{Fri, 24 May 2013 22:17:51 -0400}

News Source: MedleyStory More Local News Stories