CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Violent crime is on the rise near the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).
On Monday afternoon, a man was in court accused of assaulting a private police officer on Friday near the transit center in uptown.
The Defenders found more than 200 crimes happened within half a mile of the transit center since the beginning of this year, according to crime mapping. That includes more than 50 assaults. Last summer, a 17-year-old was kidnapped, robbed and assaulted in the same area.
“We’re living in a violent world, so these things are happening more often,” said one woman walking near the transit center.
The Defenders are also looking into violent crimes happening inside the buses. Over the years, video obtained by NBC Charlotte shows a passenger swinging at the CATS bus driver.
Other videos show everything from a person slapped in the face to a person sprayed with mace in the face as well as reports of someone burning clothes.
NBC Charlotte previously reported there have been 60 incidents on buses and trains in 2015, with that number jumping to 66 incidents in 2016.
The officer assaulted near the transit center Friday suffered a broken nasal bone, a damaged eye socket and he needed multiple stitches.
“In the line of duty, they put themselves at risk, so of course I feel for that officer. I hope they’re OK,” one woman told NBC Charlotte.