Press Release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office:
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has released their annual summary report for 2022 that shows the total crime index rate is down 15 percent for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office as compared to 2021.
The Annual Summary Support of Uniform Crime from the NC SBI, reports that the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office saw a 9% reduction in total crime index offenses in 2021 and a 2% drop in 2020, making three consecutive years of declining crime according to the SBI’s “Crime Index Rate.”
The 2022 total index rate of 1,585 also marks a 25% drop compared to a decade ago when the total index rate was 2,129 during the year 2013.
The full 2022 report can be read here (see page three for the crime index rate stats for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office):
“Thank you to all of our Deputies, Detectives, and Detention Officers, as a result of their hard work we are seeing a reduction in crime for the third consecutive year. The increase in arrests for high-level crime and repeat offenders has been a key factor in our crime reduction strategy,” says Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.
Under Sheriff Miller, there has been a focus on arresting individuals who are doing the most harm to the community and are responsible for organizing criminal theft rings. This new enforcement strategy by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has led to a reduction in crime.
Additionally, the MAT Drug Treatment Program at the Buncombe County Detention Facility is helping to reduce recidivism with a 19 percent reduction in criminal charges among those participating in the program. Many property crimes are driven by addiction.
The Sheriff’s Office Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) is also allowing for a quicker response time to certain crimes and the widespread adoption of security cameras, and better quality cameras, at homes and businesses is aiding and improving our ability to identify suspects and suspect vehicles.
The number of homicide charges brought each year since 2000, by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office:
2000 – 4
2001 – 1
2002 – 7
2003 – 4
2004 – 3
2005 – 8
2006 – 3
2007 – 6
2008 – 5
2009 – 4
2010 – 3
2011 – 4
2012 – 4
2013 – 13
2014 – 2
2015 – 4
2016 – 6
2017 – 5
2018 – 1
2019 – 2
2020 – 4
2021 – 7
2022 – 4
2023 – 2 YTD
From 2020 to 2023, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has investigated 17 homicides and brought charges in all 17 homicides of those cases.
“I am proud of the men and women at the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office that work hard every day to keep our community safe. The dedication and professionalism among our staff is second to none,” says Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.
This report shows Asheville had a -1 percent crime drop last year. I’ve seen APD trying to show year-to-year differences and that’s not compelling. Not listing narcotics busts given the deadly drugs cities like Asheville are especially swamped with is VERY perplexing.
Misdemeanors are crimes crimes. Of course in Asheville people are having to try filling out forms on misdemeanors with an unknown performance factor.
Omission is not a good place to start fact-finding.