Shared concerns about crime and an understaffed Asheville Police Department fostered an unusual alliance in today’s partisan times. An advocacy group called Asheville Coalition for Public Safety formed in October, bringing together community members of all political stripes who are concerned about crime, mental health, drug use and the unhoused population.
“The city of Asheville and Buncombe County have about one year to quell their growing violent crime and nascent street gang problem.”
“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.”
Asheville based Changing Together is one of a growing number of crime deterrence programs aimed at helping felons avoid ending up back in prison. A project of The SPARC Network, a nonprofit with branches in Charlotte and Asheville, Changing Together works in partnership with local law enforcement to help offenders find work and move forward with their lives after they have completed their sentences.
