asheville crime news

The suspects left with more than $10,000 in merchandise and attempted to destroy the alarm system while inside, police said. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. Nearly 60 percent of Ashevilles aggravated assault victims in 2020 were relatives or acquaintances of their attacker. Duncan said inthe segmentthat crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. South Carolina Upstate Spartans (16-14, 10-8 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville Bulldogs (25-7, 16-2 Big South) Charlotte, North Carolina; Saturday, 12 p.m. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Hairr or Spurgeon is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. 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. ? While NYC has seen its share of issues, he will not be returning to AVL. Market data provided by Factset. "There's no stopping it unless you change what you're doing," Reece added. Is our community unsafe as the picture is painted by Fox News? It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. (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. But the question then is really whats the new normal going to be?. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. WebAsheville, North Carolina Crime Rate & Safety. (pawel.gaul via Getty Images). Crime Map. The rising rate of crime in Asheville has landed the city of approximately 90,000 people in the top 10% most violent cities in America, according to FBI crime data. It is a continuation of this theme of, You should worry. or redistributed. Is downtown safe? The Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is a historic resort hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, that has hosted several presidents. Officers also seized more than $10,000 in cash, a brick press, a vacuum sealer and a blender. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", Zack also noted that fewer people even want to become police officers anymore, leading to what he described as "a hamster wheel of losing people and trying to replace them at the same time. The City of Asheville 70 Court Plaza P.O. And the reference to Asheville being among the most violent cities came from an analysis, also based on 2020 data, that combined all violent crimes a potentially misleading way to view the statistics, said Christopher Herrmann, an assistant professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Nearly 60% of Ashevilles aggravated assault victims in 2020 were relatives or acquaintances of their attacker. Radical abortionist group pledges violence after Roe overturned; Kristi Brown joins 'The Story' with response. 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. Sheriff Miller said, Fentanyl is killing our folks locally, as it is across North Carolina and the U.S. FORMER DEMOCRAT SHERIFF BLAMES ANTI-COP RHETORIC, BAIL REFORM FOR CRIME SURGE IN POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION, APD Chief David Zack recently told Fox News Digital that his department is down more than 100 sworn officers since May 2020, and that they are struggling to maintain visibility while "operating at almost 42% down every single day.". 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. the mere fact that this is being presented nationally is disturbing and humilating. 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. I think I will need to see some evidence on this, or at least hear an argument made. The victim drove himself to the hospital after being shot. What are the demographics of the offenders and victims, and are the weapons being used mostly guns? For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. I wear Foxs contempt for the town I was born in, raised in, and continue to live in, as a badge of honor! Asheville Watchdogsent the police department a list of questions about the increases: How many are drug- or gang-related? 0:04. Are armed gang members or drug dealers coming into Asheville from Charlotte, Atlanta or other cities? The way Mayor Manheimer talks about Asheville safety world in the above AW story is not that in touch with where many are actually living. Dixon has a $5,000 bond and Furrs bond is $15,500. WebA man was injured during a shooting early Saturday morning at an apartment in Asheville. Fox News recently told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics for Asheville Watchdog. Post Announcements News ASHEVILLE - A lieutenant with the Biltmore Forest Police Department turned himself in after he was charged with a child sex crime in South Joshua Kirk Spurgeon and Franklin Hairr (Courtesy of Asheville Police Department). Violent crime murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault went downin Asheville in 2021. I do agree the politics seem liberal, but I dont live here for the politics. 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. But the violence, the mayor said, is fairly isolated in our community. Hes not alone. It is a continuation of this theme of, You should worry. The officer predicted the situation in the Asheville area is headed "downhill quickly" without a change in leadership. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. We're already in the top 10% of violent cities in America.". Theres no doubt that the social justice protests of 2020 and Covid have certainly strained all the police departments, Herrmann said. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Look at how the Buncombe commissioners talk about the main driver of crime; being Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl. (Fox News Digital). Since the beginning of this year, violent crime is increasing, Davis said. The tool is called theCommunity Crime Map and is the result of a partnership with LexisNexis Risk Solutions. 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. "Or Asheville will soon become a non-entity. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Patrol officers were walking around the area when they saw Mandy Blair Dixon, 36, Jamie Jean Furr, 39, and Franklin Hairr, 37, with some of the businesss property. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Of the reported robberies in 2020, 26 percent of the victims were strangers. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. "Personally, I think that is the agenda of the left: for law enforcement not to be able to do anything that's effective and makes the community safer," he added. But are we ready for the day when Tucker Carlson and Ron DeSantis send busloads of extra people to Asheville? Carjacking is not a criminal charge in North Carolina. Robberies are also up, 29%. I sent them the IMF death toll numbers from NC DHHS yesterday. And why did the tourists who overdosed on felonious drugs at the Grove Park last February not get charged? 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. 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 is largely a tourist driven economy and the city invests significant resources to promote it, which will be squandered if nothing is done. Asheville Watchdog dug into the citys crime statistics and found violent crime in Asheville disproportionately affects Blacks, especially young Blacks. He was identified as 42-year-old Joshua Kirk Spurgeon. And the most recent one No, absolutely not., The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. ", 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. Asheville pregnancy center reacts to Jane's Revenge's threat of militant behavior. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. NWS conducts damage survey on severe storms, Portions of Calif. home hang over cliff after landslide, Family of cold-case victim gets justice after 40, Car buyers frustrated after dealership closes, Murdaugh judges own legal story unfolded in South, Man arrested after 2 found dead inside business, Deputies release footage of shooting involving teen, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught in South, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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 only violent crime that has seen reductions is rape, down 28%, he said. Carjacking is not a criminal charge in North Carolina. When Justin Wilson, who served a decade as an APD community resource officer, resigned in August 2020 to begin a new career, he sent a letter to the community he served, apologizing to them and explaining that the job had "taken a toll on my personal life." 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 It will be quite (humorous/tragic/surprising/expected?) (Fox News Digital). Youre not safe in your own home. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. The officer also cited an overall lack of leadership and the "liberal agenda" of some county commissioners and members of city council. The robberies occurred in public and private places, including one-quarter in a street or alley, 16% in a residence, 15% in a parking lot or garage, and 10% in a convenience store. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. 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. The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce a new free tool to help the public stay informed about crime in Asheville. The Asheville Police Department announced that officers seized 2.76 pounds of suspected fentanyl from a man on March 31. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Those numbers include a broad range of offenses. 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. According to the police department, evidence showed that another suspect was involved in the robbery. The monument stood in the center of downtown Asheville for 123 years before the city dismantled it in 2021. (Walter Bibikow via Getty Images). or redistributed. The Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Statistics samples U.S. households about crime victimization each year. The 31 percent increase is not current. Duncan said in the segment that crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. Since the beginning of 2022, Asheville has seen an uptick in aggravated assaults, defined as attacking someone with the intent of causing severe injury. An officer currently with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office who spoke to Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity attributed the exodus of officers to policy changes that hamstring them. Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) A man in Asheville is facing numerous charges after being accused of trafficking drugs. Evil exists in Asheville, officers are surrounded by it, and they do their best with what they have. But the raging crime, carjackings and Mexican drug cartel activity described by Fox News? Arrest 02/28/2023 11:00 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON The Asheville Police Department (APD) says officers Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. This is a beautiful area and I hope that everyone will find a way to stop harming each other and visitors. Aggravated assaults are up 44% over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64%, Davis said. You can also search by neighborhood or along a street. Activists also dropped off a coffin filled with dirt and animal manure in front of APD headquarters at the time. We havent really seen as you would call it the cartel, he said. There certainly are people that are at higher risk, Manheimer said. I did see some peanuts being assaulted downtown the other day. How did they bully you? 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. "Officers overlook so many things because they know that it will go nowhere in court." 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. 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. 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. Have any assaults been random, aimed at residents or tourists? Overall Score 6.4 /10. Nearly three-quarters were 29 or younger, and all but three were males. Firestorm Bookstore Co-op in West Asheville, which has faced allegations of being a front for extremist Antifa activity. 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 We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. In a Facebook post, officers said that would be enough fentanyl for 625,000 lethal doses. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31% increase in violent crime in the last five years. But the drug-dealing arrests in Buncombe thus far have not included Latinos. Four police press releases or news reports in the past two years mentioned carjackings, including one in February 2022, when police said a man forced a 91-year-old woman from her car and drove away. 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. How did they try to intimidate you? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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.. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. Duncans successor, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller, toldAsheville Watchdog, Weve seen some violent crime numbers go up, but like Asheville Police, the Sheriffs Office saw a decline in violent crimes in 2021. We understand, the web can be a dangerous place! Can you bring your vape pen or e-cigarette on a plane? I have been threatened by at least a dozen men, all with Trump cult merch either on their persons or their big loud smelly ridiculous trucks, simply for standing up to them as they bully and attempt to intimidate. APD released the latest statistics to WLOS after Fox News Digital published a report last week about how violent crime in the historic mountain town skyrocketed 31% per 100,000 people between 2016 and 2020 nearly double the national average and 18 percentage points higher than North Carolina's 13% increase statewide during the same period. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. HOMICIDES DOWN BUT VIOLENT CRIME UP IN MAJOR US CITIES AS MIDTERMS APPROACH. When police departments add or lose officers, theres not a direct correlation in crime, Herrmann said. Simplicity allows you to search for any address within the city limits of Asheville. Dixon was charged with felony possession of stolen property. Nearly three-quarters were 29 or younger, and all but three were males. Basic information about the incidents, such as the type of crime, location type, block-level address, and date and time, is also available. "And to do that, you have to have community resolve. Asheville and Western North Carolina news, investigative reporting, city and county government news. Change your mind about what? I think overall the national trend is things are kind of getting back to normal. Legal Statement. Seems like everyone holding their breath for the Asheville-Buncombe Public Safety Strategy is a weird and scary interregnum. No, absolutely not.. Multiple local law enforcement sources who recently spoke to Fox News Digital attributed some of the mass exodus to the city's liberal leadership and to left-wing activists who undermine police. The officer laid particular blame on Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, a Democrat whose office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. It only takes a moment. The Buncombe county commissioners have stood with me 100%, he said, supporting pay raises and new equipment. There were plenty of Republican-mayor cities with crime also going up, he said. The robberies occurred in public and private places, including one-quarter in a street or alley, 16 percent in a residence, 15 percent in a parking lot or garage, and 10 percent in a convenience store. An Asheville Police Department vehicle parked in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. WebASHEVILLE A McDowell County man is among those snared in a sweeping investigation into drugs and guns in western North Carolina, federal officials said Monday. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com. Much of Asheville's violent crime trend can be attributed to aggravated assaults, according to an APD spokesperson. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. Are armed gang members or drug dealers coming into Asheville from Charlotte, Atlanta or other cities? Leaders need to be honest about what happening and address it. (George Rose via Getty Images), "I certainly think that with the losses that we have, our ability to be proactive and also our ability to be visible are partly causing some of the increases," the chief said of rising violent crime. More people today are armed with weapons and guns, said Miller, an Asheville native. Through the investigation, officers learned that Hair was recently charged with assault on female and common law robbery in an unrelated assault and robbery crime in the area. For instance, Wilmington, a city of 115,000 people on North Carolinas east coast, had double the number of murders as Asheville but a lower overall violent crime rate: 685 violent crimes per 100,000 population versus Ashevilles 805. Whether, Fox News got it wrong or right, really should not matter if everything is in excellent order here at home! 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 They see people who are mentally unwell walking down the center of the street, talking to themselves, and they are fearful, Manheimer said. Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. APD Officers responded to 41 reports of break-ins "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.". Becky Tin is a retired district court judge and lawyer. Proven time after time. (Kristin Ramsey/EyeEm). Asheville will not be a vacation destination. 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. The Buncombe county commissioners have stood with me 100 percent, he said, supporting pay raises and new equipment. But I would have to think they would be more of the kind of smaller, petty types of things, not violent crime.. Asheville has so far seen 11 homicides in 2022, setting it on pace to surpass the homicide rate of 2021 and 2020. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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 Biltmore Estate, built in 1895, is the largest privately owned house in the U.S. and the biggest tourist attraction in Asheville, North Carolina. I think they're more of an enabling community, and I don't see it getting any better.". I dont know if thats true or not, the mayor said. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Hair ran away from the scene, according to police. 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. I am scared of nobody but THIS is what is making Asheville a more dangerous place to live. View All 29 Photos . I love Asheville and everything it offers but am sad to see the decline. Is our community unsafe as the picture is painted by Fox News? Have any assaults been random, aimed at residents or tourists? Duncan, who was a longtime registered Democrat, retired as sheriff and became politically unaffiliated in 2018, citing "an anti-law enforcement sentiment in the Democratic Party right now," according to the Asheville Citizen-Times. One in five were strangers. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. Last updated or reviewed on October 24, 2022. Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina, and has seen a 31% surge in violent crime per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020. You can take five-year snapshots, ten-year snapshots, one-year, year-over-year.. What Ive learned over the years is you can apparently slice and dice crime data however youd like, Manheimer said. While canvassing the area, officers located three shell casings along with damaged property. 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. Its primarily attributable to the rise in aggravated assaults.. Crime is a serious issue and one that I hear about as a top concern for our community, said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. What are the demographics of the offenders and victims, and are the weapons being used mostly guns? Anonymous tips can be sent by texting TIP2APD to 847411. He recounted that county police recently made the biggest fentanyl bust in Buncombe County history until APD made a bigger bust weeks later. 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.

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