Xpress took a look at the hardest-hit departments at the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to learn how job openings might be impacting residents and what governments are doing to hire staff amid nationwide recruitment challenges.
Tag: Asheville Police Department
Showing 1-21 of 336 results
Letter: City acts to punish, not lead on homelessness issue
“Asheville city government appears to be failing its responsibilities as the custodian of homelessness funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”
APD data on homeless encampments shifts debate among Council members
During a presentation, Capt. Mike Lamb of the Asheville Police Department cited data showing that 10% of overall crime in Asheville from Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 9, 2022 — including 14% of violent crime and 8.5% of property crime — occurred within 500 feet of an encampment.
The Haul-away season
Letter: APD should be allowed to use tear gas
“Absolutely the Asheville Police Department should be allowed gas, if necessary, for crowd control!”
APD announces policy changes in wake of 2020 protests
APD’s policy now states that officers “will not destroy personal or abandoned property unless it poses an immediate danger to officers” or the public — a change made in response to criticism over destruction of medical supplies and food at a protester medic station.
Letter: We don’t feel safe in Asheville
“I live in Asheville, and I’m wondering why people care more about the homeless than the police who are deciding to quit because of the people in charge not backing them up, and [people] running around shooting up places?”
Letter: Back the Blue in AVL
“It is my opinion that the City Council should start to show some support for the AVL police who are serving our community while being stretched to the maximum.”
Letter: City should not have complaint-based noise ordinance
“We should not have a complaint-based system; we should never have to get a noise administrator to come into our condos to measure sound after we complain.”
Letter: Youths need education on interacting with police
“Kids need to learn that the police are not their enemy unless they are doing something illegal.”
I accuse: Channeling Emile Zola in today’s Asheville
“I am certain the French author would take no offense at a less talented voice borrowing his ‘J’Acuse’ model. What better way to challenge a home community that is similarly darkened by discounted vanities, harms and pretense?”
Letter: Business owners, nonprofit leaders support alternatives to policing
“From housing shortages to drug overdoses, Asheville’s crises stem from deep dysfunctions and injustices. For too long, our city has overinvested in punishment and underinvested in equity — reliance on policing is not the solution, it is the problem.”
Why are officers leaving APD?
It’s no secret that officers are quitting the Asheville Police Department in droves, but what’s less certain is why officers are leaving. Xpress reached out to more than 50 former APD officers about their resignations. Only two agreed to share their thoughts, both under the condition of anonymity out of fear of professional consequences at their new jobs.
Asheville Council approves tax increase, gets crime update
During its June 22 meeting, Asheville City Council voted 6-1 to approve the $201.67 million operating budget for fiscal year 2021-22, which includes an effective property tax increase of 2 cents per $100 in valuation and $8.7 million in new spending. Kim Roney was the sole vote against the budget, arguing that the tax increase would harm poorer residents.
Asheville budget hearing draws a crowd
As in previous years, members of the public both applauded the city for funding long-promised initiatives, such as the 2018 Transit Master Plan and increases to firefighter pay, and voiced concern over how other taxpayer money would be spent.
Council seeks clarity on proposed budget, potential tax hike
A public hearing on the proposed budget will take place on Tuesday, June 8, during the regularly scheduled Council meeting. The final vote on whether to adopt the budget will take place on Tuesday, June 22.
Letter: City needs to keep camping out of parks
“The city of Asheville needs to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on camping in city parks. It is not sustainable, is unsanitary and just plain does not work.”
Letter: Clamp down on illegal fireworks
“I ask the Asheville police and Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department to please issue some type of warning to those who plan to repeat last year’s Fourth of July at-home fireworks extravaganza.”
Letter: First, get rid of racist cops
“Get rid of the racist cops and replenish the police budget to where it needs to be, whatever that might be — not what the mob wants it to be.”
Letter: APD puts words into action
“Zack has been outspoken that violent crime involving shootings, stabbings and murder had reached an unacceptable level, even before the pandemic and his arrival in Asheville.”
APD staffing shortage reaches critical level
“Whether you’re a private entity or are providing a public service, a 30-35% daily loss of staff is going to have a major impact on operations,” says Asheville Police Chief David Zack. “I think we’d be hard pressed to find another agency who is dealing with as many big challenges as we are.”