Its primarily attributable to the rise in aggravated assaults.. Get out! And the most recent one-year look, from 2020 to 2021, shows a 6% decrease. From Asheville Watchdog: Fox News reports Asheville is crime-ridden, dangerous, Q&A: Regions top principal discusses her lifes devotion to education, Workers tell city leaders about fear and frustration over downtown crime, violence, From Asheville Watchdog: Merchants describe downtown Ashevilles descent into squalor and lawlessness, Fellowship to expand number of lawyers versed in evictions, housing issues, Safety, transit concerns raised at first Asheville budget meeting, Development roundup: Urgent care clinic, workforce housing proposed forCharlotte Highway. "Crime will continue to rise when there is no accountability for subjects of a crime," the officer said. Youre not safe walking down the sidewalk. And thats not the case in Asheville., Fox News host Tucker Carlson last week took aim at Manheimer, whom he described as wearing complicated eyeglasses that all the girl bosses now wear. Under her leadership, Carlson claimed, Asheville as a beautiful place should have no crime, but it has a lot now. And he said Asheville had a lot of carjackings.. Ashevilles 5-year violent crime rate cited by Fox News, a 31 percent increase from 2016 to 2020, becomes a 15 percent increase from 2017 to 2021. Duncan said in the segment that crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. He was quoted as saying, There certainly have been questions about support [for police] from elected officials, from the president of the United States right on down, so its not just local leaders.. I did see some peanuts being assaulted downtown the other day. People who live in Asheville generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest. Proven time after time. He was identified as 42-year-old Joshua Kirk Spurgeon. Using the tool residents can view a map and grid with all of the crimes in their area and sign up for neighborhood watch reports that automatically email a breakdown of recent crime activity. Whether, Fox News got it wrong or right, really should not matter if everything is in excellent order here at home! Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "There certainly have been questions about support [for police] from elected officials, from the president of the United States right on down, so it's not just local leaders," he said. Legal Statement. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) The Asheville Police Department arrested two people Thursday and is continuing to search for two more suspects. Police took Dixon and Furr were taken into custody. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Zack also said fentanyl in the region has gotten "out of control," and that the amount they have been taking off the street is "alarming." When police departments add or lose officers, theres not a direct correlation in crime, Herrmann said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Box 7148 Asheville, NC 28802 828-251-1122 Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Joe Silberman of the Asheville Police Department (APD) said Wednesday, according to local outlet WLOS. We havent really seen as you would call it the cartel, he said. Its a little bit of a leap to suggest that cops have this much of a crime-fighting skill, he said. WebThe rate of crime in Asheville is 34.46 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. Sheriff Miller said, Fentanyl is killing our folks locally, as it is across North Carolina and the U.S. Crime news: Asheville homicide suspect was just out of prison before murder charge; transferred back. ASHEVILLE, N.C. Police in Asheville, North Carolina, arrested a man last week and seized enough fentanyl to kill over 600,000 people, detectives said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Seems like everyone holding their breath for the Asheville-Buncombe Public Safety Strategy is a weird and scary interregnum. Crime is a serious issue and one that I hear about as a top concern for our community, said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. The monument stood in the center of downtown Asheville for 123 years before the city dismantled it in 2021. Mayor Manheimer said, Fox News is doing their best to try to highlight these evil Democrat blue cities like New York and Chicago and L.A., and I guess now were going to focus on Asheville. Duncan, who retired as sheriff in 2018, ran the department for 12 years, replacing Bobby Lee Medford. ASHEVILLE - A lieutenant with the Biltmore Forest Police Department turned himself in after he was charged with a child sex crime in South Community Crime Map allows users to choose a date range to view criminal activity (up to one year), to select which crimes to view and the opportunity to sign up for a neighborhood watch report that automatically generates an email breakdown of recent criminal activity specific to a particular area. Duncan, who retired as sheriff in 2018, ran the department for 12 years, replacing Bobby Lee Medford. APD made international headlines in June 2021 when they announced they would no longer respond in-person to 911 calls about theft, fraud or trespassing after losing a third of their force. Thats tough to believe.. We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. They see people who are mentally unwell walking down the center of the street, talking to themselves, and they are fearful, Manheimer said. He pinpointed family pressures, a lack of community support and low pay in the expensive city as major factors pushing police to throw in the towel, but explained that APD has been working with the city to make salaries more competitive. A dozen men in big, smelly trucks are making Asheville a more dangerous place? Four police press releases or news reports in the past two years mentioned carjackings, including one inFebruary 2022, when police said a man forced a 91-year-old woman from her car and drove away. Violent crime has surged 34% since last year in Democrat-run Asheville, North Carolina, according to statistics released by city police following a Fox News Digital The City of Asheville 70 Court Plaza P.O. Asheville, North Carolina. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Furman uses a 32-6 second half run to defeat Mercer, NC schools see spike in reported violence numbers, Chase Elliott out of NASCAR indefinitely after tibia, Chris Rock to finally have his say in new stand-up, Hornung hits go-ahead 3-run HR in 7th to lead #23, CCES rolls past Scotts Branch 63-41 to win 1A Boys, Behind solo HRs from Ingle and Abrams, Clemson hands, NASCAR star Chase Elliott hurts leg in snowboarding, The Foreign Landers Perform on Your Carolina, NorthStar Financial Wants you to be Ready for Retirement. Asheville's growth in violent crime is nearly double that of the national average and ranks among the highest in North Carolina, where violent crime has increased 13% statewide. Those numbers include a broad range of offenses. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. One in five were strangers. "The Asheville Police Department takes this very, very seriously," Capt. Community Crime Map allows users to choose a date range to view criminal activity (up to one year), to select which crimes to view and the opportunity to sign up for a neighborhood watch report that automatically generates an email breakdown of recent criminal activity specific to a particular area. An Asheville Police Department vehicle parked in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Everything seems to be in line with the national trend, which was everyone had significant increases in 2020 when the pandemic hit and then some cities kept on going up a little bit in 2021, he said. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. We're already in the top 10% of violent cities in America.". The Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Statistics samples U.S. households about crime victimization each year. Joey Reece, who is now retired after serving 12 years as a state trooper and another 22 years as an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the area, reflected sadly to Fox News Digital how Asheville has declined since he grew up there. Overall Score 6.4 /10. I sent them the IMF death toll numbers from NC DHHS yesterday. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Buncombe County Courthouse, left, and Asheville City Hall, right, both of which are in the Downtown Asheville Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. WebAsheville, North Carolina Crime Rate & Safety. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Is the violence centered in or near public housing? Herrmann, a former crime analyst supervisor with the New York City Police Department, said he looked at crime statistics in cities with liberal and conservative majorities last year and found no discernible difference. Thats tough to believe.. I wear Foxs contempt for the town I was born in, raised in, and continue to live in, as a badge of honor! There is also evidence of increased Mexican drug cartel activity in the area, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News Digital. Evil exists in Asheville, officers are surrounded by it, and they do their best with what they have. He told Fox News Digital that police who do wrong must be held accountable, but also said officers both locally and around the country have become hesitant to do their jobs "because they can be right, but it can be the wrong set of facts, and they can still wind up in trouble. Zack told Fox News that Asheville is operating with nearly 42% fewer officers every single day.The department has 61 vacancies out of 238 sworn officers and another 26 in training or on leave, Davis said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Leaders need to be honest about what happening and address it. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. Nearly three-quarters were 29 or younger, and all but three were males. Do the people involved have criminal histories for violence or drugs? Theres no doubt that the social justice protests of 2020 and Covid have certainly strained all the police departments, Herrmann said. I love Asheville and everything it offers but am sad to see the decline. WebSince this Sub seems to only want to re-post Fox News specifically so they can deflect from the real crime problem Asheville has, here's the actual story of business owners fed up with daily human excrement, shoplifting, fentanyl use, overdosed people, fights, threats, and every quality-of-life crime imaginable right on their doorstep. I think overall the national trend is things are kind of getting back to normal. Zack told Fox News that Asheville is operating with nearly 42 percent fewer officers every single day. The department has 61 vacancies out of 238 sworn officers and another 26 in training or on leave, Davis said. Is downtown safe? City police in Asheville, North Carolina, recently released new statistics that show rising violent crime trends in the Democrat-led tourist town have continued, increasing 34% year-to-date compared to last year and 29% over 2020. While canvassing the area, officers located three shell casings along with damaged property. What they show is over half of serious crime doesnt even get reported to the police, Herrmann said. Sheriff Miller said, Fentanyl is killing our folks locally, as it is across North Carolina and the U.S. How did they bully you? APD Chief David Zack told Fox News Digital that the reasons behind the steady flood of resignations in his department are complicated and multi-faceted. But the raging crime, carjackings and Mexican drug cartel activity described by Fox News? Crime is a serious issue and one that I hear about as a top concern for our community, said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. Robberies are also up, 29 percent. The Biltmore Estate, built in 1895, is the largest privately owned house in the U.S. and the biggest tourist attraction in Asheville, North Carolina. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Duncans successor, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller, told Asheville Watchdog, Weve seen some violent crime numbers go up, but like Asheville Police, the Sheriffs Office saw a decline in violent crimes in 2021. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Asheville and Western North Carolina news, investigative reporting, city and county government news. Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics for Asheville Watchdog. Theres no doubt that the social justice protests of 2020 and Covid have certainly strained all the police departments, Herrmann said. Also reacting to FOX is a crazy place to try to launch into the reality of anything at all serious where ethics and folks lives are on the table. "So when officers have to work under those conditions, when they're out there really serving the community well, and we see high dismissal rate with the district attorney, low cash bail or no bail for these folks who are just being turned back loose into the community, it becomes very frustrating for the officers," he continued. Women accounted for nearly half of all violent crime victims in Asheville (46%), while men committed 80% of the crimes, according to data reported to the FBI for 2020, the latest year available. Sixty percent of voters overall consider crime a major issue in the lead-up to the midterm elections 52% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans, according to an August poll from Pew Research. The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce a new free tool to help the public stay informed about crime in Asheville. Asheville once touted as a top-10 tourist destination back in 2017, but with crime raging, the city now ranks, get this, in the top 10% of most violent cities in America,anchor Todd Piro said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There were plenty of Republican-mayor cities with crime also going up, he said. I think overall the national trend is things are kind of getting back to normal. Of 17 murders in Asheville in 2019 and 2020, 14 of the perpetrators and 12 of the victims were Black. Of the reported robberies in 2020, 26% of the victims were strangers. Becky Tin is a retired district court judge and lawyer. Chief Zack, through Davis, answered one question: There are loosely-organized, neighborhood-specific groups that could fall under a broad definition of gangs here in Asheville. But within those groups, the chief said it was doubtful that police could build a case to prosecute members under the federal racketeering law designed to combat organized crime. They really didn't get to speak, and they really didn't get anything done.". What Ive learned over the years is you can apparently slice and dice crime data however youd like, Manheimer said. "Our staff is working around the clock to follow up on instances of reports that have been taken.". However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Asheville may be as high as 1 in 18 in the central neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 51 in the northeast part of the city. "Or Asheville will soon become a non-entity. Heres what the stats do say about crime in Asheville and whos at risk: Blacks make up 11 percent of Ashevilles population but account for 31 percent of violent crime victims. Crime statistics dont provide the full picture of crime in a city. The officer predicted the situation in the Asheville area is headed "downhill quickly" without a change in leadership. Asheville Watchdog sent the police department a list of questions about the increases: How many are drug- or gang-related? WebAlleged downtown Asheville bomb thrower has new court date Buncombe County Commissioners talk affordable housing, cryptocurrency Did Punxsutawney Phil lie? CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. Market data provided by Factset. The one positive trend in the report is a reduction in gun crime. Nesbitt said local Antifa have used Floyd's death "as an excuse to bring anarchy to this city," and pinpointed Firestorm Bookstore Co-op in West Asheville as the nexus of their activity. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. "Because we've lost so many officers, and we're operating at almost 42% down every single day, officer presence and officer visibility are not what they were.". Yep, sort of comical to watch the advertising/groveling for more and more guests continue while the city struggles to get its act in order. We havent really seen as you would call it the cartel, he said. In a Facebook post, officers said that would be enough fentanyl for 625,000 lethal doses. Buncombe County Courthouse, left, and Asheville City Hall, right, both of which are in the Downtown Asheville Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Both suspects were booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center. Among many other features, SimpliCity provides crime statistics for the address. Dixon was charged with felony possession of stolen property. Youre not safe in your community. Crime Map. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. Of 17 murders in Asheville in 2019 and 2020, 14 of the perpetrators and 12 of the victims were Black. Joshua Kirk Spurgeon and Franklin Hairr (Courtesy of Asheville Police Department). What is Trump cult merch? Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Is our community unsafe as the picture is painted by Fox News? But the sheriff said, We didnt see an increase as far as crimes being committed., Anonline versionof the Fox News report said, without citing any details, that there was evidence in Asheville of increased Mexican drug cartel activity in the area, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News Digital.. Since the beginning of 2022, Asheville has seen an uptick in aggravated assaults, defined as attacking someone with the intent of causing severe injury. The only violent crime that has seen reductions is rape, down 28 percent, he said. (Fox News Digital). When you tell me that your assaults are up, Im going to say you dont really know that because almost half of your assaults are probably not reported.. The Buncombe county commissioners have stood with me 100 percent, he said, supporting pay raises and new equipment. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. @ Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library, @ Black Mountain, Leicester, Weaverville Libraries, Allegiant Announces New Nonstop Route to Arizona, Recovering North Carolinas Bill of Rights, The NCDOR Opens 2023 Individual Income Tax Season, Tageos to Open Manufacturing Facility in Henderson County; 92 New Jobs and $35 Million Investment Expected, Flat Rock Playhouses 2023 Season Marked by Regional Premier, New Black Box Series, Award-Winning Musicals, Employment Agencies, Consultants & Businesses. A dawn view of the skyline in Asheville, North Carolina, which has seen rising trends of violent crime in recent years. The Community Crime Map is available on the Asheville Police Departments website by clicking on the crime mapping icon or atcommunitycrimemap.com. Asheville saw a 21 percent increase in the homeless, or unhoused population, in 2022 over 2021, leading to the belief by some residents and visitors that downtown has become dangerous. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. There were plenty of Republican-mayor cities with crime also going up, he said. Have any assaults been random, aimed at residents or tourists? ", Duncan further noted that when he was serving as county sheriff, "left-wing activists" from outside the community would sweep in to disrupt community meetings. Xpress needs help, too. POLICE IN NORTH CAROLINA TOURIST TOWN REVEAL WORSENING VIOLENT CRIME STATS FOLLOWING FOX NEWS REPORT Chuckie McKelvey, who CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. The tool is called theCommunity Crime Map and is the result of a partnership with LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Since the beginning of 2022, Asheville has seen an uptick in aggravated assaults, defined as attacking someone with the intent of causing severe injury. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31% increase in violent crime in the last five years. Elected democrats DESTROY cities. They see people who are mentally unwell walking down the center of the street, talking to themselves, and they are fearful, Manheimer said. "And to do that, you have to have community resolve. The officer also cited an overall lack of leadership and the "liberal agenda" of some county commissioners and members of city council. In 2021, while Ashevilles police force was drastically reduced,violent crimedecreased. I dont know if thats true or not, the mayor said. Its a little bit of a leap to suggest that cops have this much of a crime-fighting skill, he said. Crime Map for Asheville, NC. Placing Asheville's situation within the context of trends present in police departments across the U.S., he said the loss of officers accelerated following the protests that took place in the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020. Asheville, North Carolina Multiple local law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News Digital laid partial blame for the deteriorating condition of a North Carolina tourist town on the city's liberal political leadership and on left-wing activists who undermine police. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. But the drug-dealing arrests in Buncombe thus far have not included Latinos. The Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is a historic resort hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, that has hosted several presidents. "Even though we were making good strides in the community and reducing the crime rate, we still saw ourselves coming in as a negative in the community in the eyes of some of the leftist politicians that were getting elected at that time," Duncan said. Neither the Asheville City Council nor the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. But the raging crime, carjackings and Mexican drug cartel activity described by Fox News? Wait. All rights reserved. Crime Map. Manheimer said some people suspect crimes in Asheville are going unreported because of the police departments decision, beginning in June 2021, to no longer respond in-person to calls about theft, fraud and other non-serious crimes due to staffing shortages. This is an ugly, racist, sexist comment, and its also BS. I think they're more of an enabling community, and I don't see it getting any better.". But as far as Asheville being safe, I think its safe.. Youre not safe in your community. Email [emailprotected]. The Asheville Policecrime dashboardshows crimes against people down 10% in the past year and crimes against property down 20%. But the question then is really whats the new normal going to be?. Asheville once touted as a top Spurgeon has been charged with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense, possession of stolen goods, larceny after breaking & entering and felony breaking & entering, according to police. Legal Statement. The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. No, absolutely not., The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. View All 29 Photos . Each year, aggravated assaults made up the majority of Ashevilles violent crimes, accounting for about two-thirds to nearly three-quarters. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. Community Crime Map automatically syncs with the Asheville Police Departments records system to keep crime information up-to-date. (Fox News Digital), Nesbitt said Antifa activists from other major cities throughout North Carolina congregate in Asheville, and that the members of the organization who believe in political violence "will try to instigate some of the dumbest people to do something very stupid. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com. The Buncombe county commissioners have stood with me 100%, he said, supporting pay raises and new equipment. I think I will need to see some evidence on this, or at least hear an argument made. Fox News recently told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. The Asheville Police Department announced that officers seized 2.76 pounds of suspected fentanyl from a man on March 31. Crime perceptions are also shaped by more homeless people in and around downtown. The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Change my mind. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting TIP2APD to 847411. Miller said he has not encountered an anti-law enforcement sentiment. Asheville pregnancy center reacts to Jane's Revenge's threat of militant behavior. Aggravated assaults are up 44 percent over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64 percent, Davis said. Ashevilles 5-year violent crime rate cited by Fox News, a 31% increase from 2016 to 2020, becomes a 15% increase from 2017 to 2021. Furr was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense and felony possession of stolen property. Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. The Asheville Police crime dashboard shows crimes against people down 10 percent in the past year and crimes against property down 20 percent. You mean to tell me that Fox news manipulated statistics to fit the narrative of their agenda? Lets Eat at Waynes Lunchbox in Spindale, N.C. 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