Tonight, July 24, Asheville City Council heard the first public report on the Asheville Police Department evidence room, revealing a state of deep disarray. Mayor Terry Bellamy called the situation “appalling,” and the auditors estimated it will take at least two years to sort out.
Tag: Asheville Police Department
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Council will hear first public presentation on evidence room audit July 24
A Blueline Systems representative will give City Council a July 24 presentation on the Asheville Police Department evidence room audit the company completed earlier this year. The content of the presentation, requested by Mayor Terry Bellamy, is unknown.
Truth trackers: APD’s cold-case sleuths defy the odds
Less than 1 percent of cold cases ever get solved. That doesn’t stop Asheville detectives Yvonne Cobourn and Kevin Taylor. They’ve got 24 local cases on their desks, and the process is like nothing you’ve seen on TV. Fighting the odds, Detective Yvonne Cobourn says, “That challenge is what we embrace.” (cover by John Zara)
Changing Together program seeks to deter violent offenders
A joint program between the Asheville Police Department, the District Attorney’s office, and other agencies aims to deter violent offenders in the area.
APD arrests William Lamm for downtown break-ins
The search for an Asheville man suspected of breaking into and vandalizing the Haywood Park offices and the Flat Iron building ended this morning, when Asheville Police Department officers arrested William Clifton Lamm, 35, for the crimes.
Local business owner asks for public’s help catching Haywood Park vandal UPDATED
Around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a man broke into and vandalized offices in the Haywood Park building. Local business owner Jose Ibarra of Applied Solutions Group is circulating the following security camera shot, asking for the public’s help in identifying the perpetrator.
Body found in French Broad River, Asheville Police investigating
Asheville police say they found the body of Anthony Sawyer in the French Broad River today off of Amboy Road. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week.
Asheville City Council preview: Missing evidence and squeezed dollars
At tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting, two major issues will get aired publicly: an update on changes to the Asheville Police Department evidence room and a hearing on the budget for the next fiscal year. Some police officers and firefighters have announced their intent to show up and demand a higher raise than the one percent in the proposed budget.
Missing evidence, concealed report
The Asheville Police Department will hire a new evidence-room manager, but an audit of absent items remains under wraps despite a mounting media push for disclosure.
APD Chief stays mum on evidence room details, looking for new manager
Speaking with media this morning, Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson wouldn’t answer questions about the extent of missing, guns, drugs, and money from the APD evidence room, or when the public will see the unrevealed audit. The APD is looking for a new, civilian evidence room manager, something Anderson believes will hasten “the healing process.” Photo by Max Cooper.
Around 100 march for May Day
Around 100 people showed up for a May Day rally this afternoon in Pack Square. Protesters focused better rights for workers, free education and opposed deportation of undocumented immigrants, among other issues. Police presence was light and the event remained peaceful. Photos by Max Cooper.
State office denies request for APD evidence audit, more local media join push for release
The state administrative office of the courts has denied a records request from local media for the audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room, but a NC Press Association attorney maintains the audit should be public record. Meanwhile, more media have joined a push to release the audit.
Asheville’s local media call for DA to release evidence room audit
Today, an array of local media has united in a call for District Attorney Ron Moore to release the audit of missing guns, drugs and money from the Asheville Police Department evidence room. A joint statement declares that Moore’s actions in ignoring open records requests for months “are not in compliance with either state law or the practices of transparent government.”
Contract: City due a copy of APD evidence room audit
According to the contract for the audit of missing guns, drugs, and money from the Asheville Police Department’s evidence room, the city of Asheville should have received a copy when the audit was completed in January. The city still hasn’t received a copy, and District Attorney Ron Moore has refused to respond to open records requests for the public release of the $175,000 audit. City manager Gary Jackson says he’s satisfied with Moore’s handling of the case, and is not pressing for the release of the audit.
Contract for the audit of the APD evidence room
The contract for the audit of the Asheville Police Department’s evidence room.
Stabbing at Mike’s Side Pocket, “no current danger to the public”
A stabbing at Mike’s Side Pocket has left part of Haywood Road closed down as police investigate. The Asheville Police Department claims it’s too early to release details, but that “there’s no current danger to the public.” While an observer on the scene says at least one person is dead, and a source says that another died in the emergency room, these are not yet confirmed. (Photo by Bill Rhodes)
Witnesses question APD’s account of Montford crash
In the aftermath of a vehicle collision yesterday, March 27, that left four injured and led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in the Montford neighborhood, several witnesses assert that police chased the suspect as he sped away, creating a dangerous situation. The APD states that officers chose not to pursue.
The Asheville Police Department’s vehicle pursuit policy
The Asheville Police Department’s rules on vehicle pursuits.
Two months later, District Attorney still won’t release evidence room records
More than two months ago, Xpress requested a copy of the audit of the Asheville Police Department’s evidence room from District Attorney Ron Moore. We have received no reply. According to attorneys from the North Carolina Press Association, the audit should be public record, and Moore’s behavior violates the state’s open records law.
Holladay found guilty of resisting arrest, not guilty of public disturbance
Last June, local musician Juan Holladay was arrested by police in an incident that sparked allegations of excessive force. Today, Holladay had his day in court, and was found guilty of resisting/obstructing an arrest, but not guilty of creating a public disturbance.
A difficult dance: Council, Occupy seek elusive common ground
What happened when a new protest movement clashed with an Asheville City Council with former activists in its ranks. Photo by Bill Rhodes