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Safety concerns in uptown ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend

Over the last month, there have been 168 reports of crime in a half-mile radius around the Spectrum Center.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte is one month away from one of the biggest events ever staged in the city.

The NBA All-Star Game weekend begins February 15 and will draw thousands of people to uptown.

Just up the street from the Spectrum Center where the game will be played is the Epicentre, where police responded to two incidents last weekend. One involved a guard who said a man pointed a gun at him, and the other involved an assault.

Johnathan Thomas can’t forget what happened to him last October when he was accosted by a group of suspects.

“I was walking past the Epicentre towards the Spectrum Center. They asked me for some money to get something to eat. As soon as I got my wallet out they tried to take it from me,” Thomas said.

RELATED: Charlotte prepares to host NBA AllStar Game

With the big game a month away, NBC Charlotte did a crime map check and found over the last month there have been 168 reports of crime in a half-mile radius around the Spectrum Center.

The reported crimes include larceny, assaults, and disturbing the peace.

Adam Rhew of Charlotte Center City Partners said the All-Star Game will bring an estimated 150,000 people to uptown, including well over 1,000 members of the press.

Rhew said it’s a great time to show off the city.

“The restaurants, the hospitality and hotel community, and all of the great cultural amenities that we have here. It will be a chance to share that with a large audience,” said Rhew.

CMPD did not respond to questions about security for the game.

Rhew said uptown would be ready to shine.

“There is a lot of work that has been happening behind the scenes to make sure Charlotte does show well to the international community," he added.

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