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.
“It goes without saying that the protests were unprecedented in the city and for law enforcement officers nationwide,” said Asheville Police Chief David Zack. “Never before had APD encountered a protest where the emotional intensity was directed solely at the police.”
“We’ve taken to the streets to tell you what we need,” said North Asheville resident Katie Hudson. “It smacks of irony and disrespect to come forward with a proposal that you’re going to listen to people when we are actively telling you what we want right now.”
Assistant City Attorney John Maddux, who serves as the city staff liaison to the Noise Ordinance Appeals Board, admitted that he currently had no good solution to the problem of commercial noise. However, he did propose numerous changes to the noise ordinance aimed at streamlining complaint resolution.
“Racial discrepancies in traffic stops have roused many in our community to stand up and speak out — and for good reason.”
Code for Asheville delivered a presentation to the public safety committee on March 26 asking the city to make policing data more readily available to the public.
Asheville city staffers, downtown stakeholders and local buskers turned out in force for the city’s monthly Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss a city proposal for a pilot program regulating downtown public space. The meeting, which was preceded by a community forum with downtown stakeholders, came amid tensions over pilot program, which would add regulations to several […]
Regulations intended to provide more city control over street musicians and performers are once again on the Public Safety Committee’s agenda. The committee will host a Downtown Public Space Management Forum on Wednesday, June 22 at 3 p.m. in the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall.
The city is seeking definition in its relationship with the busking community, and both buskers and businesses are speaking out about the issues that matter to them in hopes of fostering a healthy relationship in an area of the city where space is at a premium.
Asheville’s busking community came out in force Sept. 22 to urge city government not to place new restrictions on street performances.
A push for more restrictive noise rules throughout the city is making its way to Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee this afternoon, March 26. One proposal, from a member of the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, seeks changes to Asheville’s rules, such as designating singing, musical instruments and “noisy parties” after 10 p.m. as potential nuisances.
A proposed ban on camping on city property — drafted in response to Occupy Asheville‘s encampment in front of City Hall — didn’t make it past Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Instead the committee directed staff at its meeting this afternoon to look at a permitting process for campers.
Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee will consider (and possibly modify) a proposed ban on camping on city property developed in response to Occupy Asheville‘s encampment in front of City Hall. Follow live Twitter coverage here.
