Competition is a wonderful thing. Government monopolies are bad. And for 30 years District Attorney Peter Gilchrist has had a hammer lock on prosecuting — or not prosecuting — criminals in Mecklenburg County.

But that may be changing. WBTV reports that CMPD is actively considering routing around Gilchrist and taking some cases to Gaston and Cabarrus County for prosecution. Can’t help but notice that this option as suddenly popped up weeks after Chief Rodney Monroe took control of CMPD. More from WBTV’s report:

Auto theft detective Ted Barber has little hope, however, the crew will do time here…so he’s sending them somewhere they will.

“We’ll transfer our cases and confessions to Gaston County and Cabarrus County,” Barber says, “which is where they really need to worry they’ll get some serious time, those two counties, because its not exactly like Mecklenburg County where there’s…a revolving door.” …

…And our neighbors do too. A York County Solicitor recently mentioned Mecklenburg in a speech: “This isn’t Mecklenburg County. This is a whole different ball game down here. We have the rescources, the funding, and the will to punish violent criminals severely.”

In fact, York County officials are so disgusted with Charlotte’s under-funded criminal justice system…the sheriff publicly chided our politicians.

“They can spend four million on Johnson and Whales,” Bruce Bryant said. “They can spend millions on parks, lightrail…My god, people that’s spending this money, priorities. You know we’ve got to protect our people. That’s foremost.”

Wow. What a stunning vote of no confidence in our present leadership from front-line CMPD cops. And what a spot-on description of our misplaced priorities in Char-Meck. We’ll consider spending millions to put a frickin’ cap over 277 but safe streets? Come again?