Petition to Enact the Steven Wheeler Public Safety Ordinance

Protect Charlotte Families. Prevent Repeat Violence. Honor Steven Wheeler’s Legacy.

On September 21, 2025, my 26-year-old son, Steven Wheeler, was taken from our family in an act of violence associated with the nightclub operating at 225 North Caldwell Street in Uptown Charlotte.

Steven was a son, a father, a brother, a grandson, and a friend. He had dreams, purpose, and people who loved him deeply. Since that day, my family has endured a pain that no parent should ever experience. Every birthday, holiday, and family milestone serves as another reminder of the life that was stolen from us.

My family’s story is heartbreaking—but it is not unique.

According to publicly documented reports, Steven was the third homicide victim associated with this nightclub during 2025, raising serious concerns about whether sufficient safeguards existed to protect patrons and the surrounding community. These repeated tragedies demonstrate the urgent need for stronger oversight of entertainment venues operating at locations with documented histories of serious violence.

The circumstances surrounding these incidents have also raised important questions regarding security practices, including concerns about surveillance capabilities, emergency preparedness, and whether adequate measures were in place to help deter violent crime and assist law enforcement investigations.

One tragedy should be enough.

Three should demand action.

We Need a Better Solution

I am calling upon the Charlotte City Council, the Mayor, Mecklenburg County leaders, and all public safety officials to adopt the Steven Wheeler Public Safety Ordinance, a policy designed to help prevent repeated violence at entertainment venues with documented histories of serious criminal activity.

This ordinance should include the following public safety measures:

• Mandatory public safety reviews before a nightclub or late-night entertainment venue can open or reopen at a property with a documented history of repeated serious violent incidents.

• Required Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and independent security assessments before permits are approved.

• Mandatory security plans that include trained security personnel, emergency response procedures, crowd management protocols, and cooperation with law enforcement.

• Required, properly maintained surveillance camera systems that provide sufficient coverage of entrances, exits, parking areas, and other critical locations to assist in crime prevention and criminal investigations.

• Increased opportunities for neighborhood residents, business owners, victims’ families, and community stakeholders to provide public input before permits are approved or renewed.

• Authority for the City to impose enhanced operating conditions—or deny certain permits when legally justified—when a property’s documented history demonstrates an ongoing risk to public safety.

• Stronger accountability standards for operators who repeatedly fail to maintain a reasonably safe environment.

• Encourage redevelopment of chronically high-risk entertainment properties into businesses and community spaces that promote families, economic development, education, arts, recreation, or other positive community uses.

Why This Matters

This petition is not about seeking revenge.

It is not about attacking responsible business owners.

It is about acknowledging that when violence repeatedly occurs at the same location, our community has both the authority and the responsibility to evaluate whether additional safeguards are necessary before similar operations continue.

No family should lose a loved one because warning signs were ignored.

No parent should receive the phone call that forever changes their life.

No community should accept repeated violence as simply “the cost of doing business.”

Our Call to Action

By signing this petition, you are asking Charlotte leaders to:

Enact the Steven Wheeler Public Safety Ordinance.
Strengthen oversight of entertainment venues with documented histories of serious violence.
Require meaningful security standards that protect patrons and surrounding neighborhoods.
Increase transparency and public participation in permitting decisions.
Put public safety ahead of financial interests when repeated violence demonstrates the need for stronger intervention.
Steven’s life mattered.

His legacy should be one of protecting others.

Together, we can transform unimaginable loss into meaningful change and help ensure that no other family experiences the heartbreak mine lives with every single day.

Please sign this petition and stand with us in making Charlotte a safer place for everyone.