Will the Asheville Police Department lead by example of the social order they've been tasked to uphold and not ride their bikes on sidewalks? As they pass, I'm forced to walk in the street, unprotected and unrepresented. — Nathanael Roney Asheville The writer is the senior graphic designer at Mountain Xpress
Tag: Asheville Police Department
Showing 295-315 of 396 results
New APD Chief William Anderson sworn in
In the middle of the packed Council chambers, William Anderson, the Asheville Police Department’s new chief, was officially sworn in. Anderson promised to make responsiveness to the community among his top priorities.
Occupy Asheville camp cleared, three arrested
Enforcing a new city ordinance, the Asheville Police Department cleared tents from the Occupy Asheville campsite — one of the last public Occupy encampments in the country — in front of City Hall late yesterday evening. Three protesters, claiming the rules infringe their rights, were arrested for ordinance violations. Photo by Bill Rhodes.
Last sunrise at City Hall for Occupy Asheville
With a noon eviction deadline, Occupy Asheville campers make preparations for what comes next.
(Photos by Bill Rhodes)
District Attorney Ron Moore keeping evidence room audit results under wraps
The audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room was completed Jan. 9, but don’t expect the details to go public soon. While Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore has told some media that the audit showed that around 200 drug parcels might be missing, the Buncombe County District Attorney’s keeping the results secret, even from city government.
William Anderson is Asheville’s new police chief
The city of Asheville has chosen William Anderson to head the Asheville Police Department. Anderson, currently the police chief of Greenville, will begin the job March 1.
APD looking for break-in suspects
The Asheville Police Department has released surveillance photos of two individuals suspected of breaking into a car downtown.
List reveals who’s assessing candidates for Asheville’s next police chief
A group of seventeen, primarily made up of law enforcement officials and city of Asheville staff, is in the process of evaluating nine finalists for the Asheville Police Department’s next chief. Here’s who they are.
Emails shine light on city’s reaction to Occupy Asheville
Xpress has obtained 270 emails from city of Asheville staff concerning Occupy Asheville. The emails reveal law enforcement considering their approach to (and surveillance of) the protests as well as city staff and Occupy representatives debating freedom of assembly, among other things. These emails are available to the public in a searchable database.
photo by Bill Rhodes
Asheville city ordinance doesn’t prohibit handing out political fliers
Earlier this month, the Asheville Police Department arrested Helen Roberts for passing out fliers as part of Occupy Asheville, claiming it violated a city ordinance. The charges against Roberts have since been dropped, and City Attorney Bob Oast tells Xpress that the ordinance she was arrested under only deals with commercial activity — not handing out political fliers in public spaces.
APD releases photos of suspect’s vehicle in fatal hit-and-run
The Asheville Police Department has released images of the light-colored Ford pick-up that struck and killed Mell Ailes, 57, yesterday, Nov. 23 on Broadway Street. The APD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the perpetrator.
Occupy Asheville protester arrested for passing out fliers
Under a city ordinance banning advertisement “by the distribution of samples or printed matter within the city,” the Asheville Police Department arrested Helen Roberts,an Occupy Asheville participant for distributing fliers at a Nov. 2 rally. Roberts says the fliers she distributed were pie charts endorsing the protest’s positions, and that she was not soliciting donations.
APD employee, city social media specialist suspended after Facebook comments
The city of Asheville has placed Lynn Fraser, a forensic technician employed by the Asheville Police Department, and Melissa Williams, the city’s social media specialist, on “non disciplinary paid investigative suspension.” On Facebook, Fraser called Occupy Asheville protesters emerged yesterday, and Williams added a “LMAO” (“laughing my ass off”) comment.
APD Chief: department takes employee’s Facebook comments on Occupy Asheville “very seriously”
Asheville Police Department Interim Chief Wade Wood has released a statement saying that his department takes Facebook comments made by Lynn Fraser, a forensic technician employed by the APD, “very seriously.” Fraser called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” and said they needed “a hug … around the neck… with a rope.” Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, who commented on Fraser’s status, has offered her apologies.
APD employee calls Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” on Facebook ***UPDATED 2:17 p.m.***
In a Facebook post, Lynn Fraser a forensic technician with the Asheville Police Department, called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” after they complained about police officers recording a march yesterday. In comments on the post, Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, responds with “LMAO” or “Laughing My Ass Off.” In previous post, Fraser also designated Occupiers as a group that “just need a hug … around the neck… with a rope.”
APD arrests four Occupy Asheville participants ***UPDATED 11 a.m. SUNDAY***
The Asheville Police Department has arrested four Occupy Asheville participants today, Nov. 5, for alleged actions on Nov. 2. The charges are resisting public officers, impeding traffic, unlawful assembly and, in the case of one protester, wearing a mask in public. In a statement, Occupy Asheville claims condemns the arrests and claims one of those charged was home sick on the day in question.
Occupy Asheville protesters talk about Pack Square Park arrests
After Asheville City Council refused Occupy Asheville’s request for indefinite camping in a public park on Oct. 25, eight protesters remained in Pack Square Park after curfew and were arrested. Four of those demonstrators tell Xpress about what they did, and why they did it.
Occupy Asheville protesters pick up litter, wipe windows at Merrill-Lynch building, 4 arrested
Four Occupy Asheville demonstrators, part of a “corporate clean-up crew” were arrested for trespassing this afternoon after picking up litter and wiping windows at the Merrill-Lynch building in downtown.
APD: No major issues with Occupy Asheville so far
An Asheville Police Department spokesperson tells Xpress that the department has had no troubles or conflicts with Occupy Asheville demonstrators so far, and has made no arrests.
APD looking for Tunnel Road bank robbery suspect
The Asheville Police Department is looking for a suspect involved in the robbery of a First Citizens Bank on Tunnel Road earlier this afternoon.
City of Asheville seeks community input on hiring new APD Chief
The city of Asheville will hold a series of community input sessions Sept. 8 and 9, seeking input on the hiring of a new chief for the Asheville Police Department. The office is filled by interim Chief Wade Wood, since Chief Bill Hogan retied in May, amidst controversy about missing evidence and the settlement of a harassment lawsuit involving a (still-employed) APD officer.