CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's new police chief announced a holiday safety initiative Friday targeting a spike in violent crime in the Uptown area, even as overall crime has declined across the city.

Police Chief Estella Patterson, in her first week on the job, launched Operation Safe Season to increase police presence in Uptown Charlotte during the holiday season. The initiative comes as the Central Division, which includes downtown, has seen violent crime rise 15% this year.

"We want families and visitors and businesses to feel confident that Uptown is a place where they can gather safely, but we also want offenders to know that if you come to Uptown to commit crimes, you will be held accountable," Patterson said during her first news conference as chief.

While overall crime in Charlot

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