DEMOCRAT-RUN TOURIST TOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA SEES VIOLENT CRIME SPIKE AS POLICE DWINDLE: PERFECT STORM, A dawn view of the skyline in Asheville, North Carolina, which has seen rising trends of violent crime in recent years. Popular southern tourist city turning 'completely lawless' under "Officers overlook so many things because they know that it will go nowhere in court." Carjacking is not a criminal charge in North Carolina. On July 4, a day after receiving a threatening email signed "ANTIFA," the APD arrested two suspects for allegedly attempting to bomb the former site of the Vance Monument, an obelisk dedicated to North Carolina's Civil War-time governor. Do tell. Asheville, NC, Crime Rate & Safety | U.S. News Best Places 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. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com. 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. Change my mind. 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. The officer predicted the situation in the Asheville area is headed "downhill quickly" without a change in leadership. Asheville was rated among the top 10 U.S. travel destinations according to Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards in 2016, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority recently spent $1.3million in local tax dollars to advertise at the 2022 U.S. Open. 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.. But I would have to think they would be more of the kind of smaller, petty types of things, not violent crime.. "I think what you're seeing in Asheville right now is a culmination of the last several years of pulling police back and not letting them do their jobs like they're able to do," former Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan told Fox News Digital in a phone interview. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. Email [emailprotected]. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. What they show is over half of serious crime doesnt even get reported to the police, Herrmann said. Asheville Watchdogdug into the citys crime statistics and found violent crime in Asheville disproportionately affects Black residents, especially young Black residents. the mere fact that this is being presented nationally is disturbing and humilating. 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. The Asheville Police Department announced that officers seized 2.76 pounds of suspected fentanyl from a man on March 31. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. They really didn't get to speak, and they really didn't get anything done.". "Or Asheville will soon become a non-entity. Crime 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. The Citizen-Times, Asheville The segment featured ex-Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, a former Democrat who blamed leftist politicians for what he said was anti-police sentiment in Asheville. 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 Asheville Police Department takes this very, very seriously," Capt. There were plenty of Republican-mayor cities with crime also going up, he said. But as far as Asheville being safe, I think its safe.. One in five were strangers. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. 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. Wait. Asheville news "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. 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. What are the demographics of the offenders and victims, and are the weapons being used mostly guns? NORTH CAROLINA PREGNANCY CENTER DEFIANT AFTER PRO-ABORTION VANDALISM: SPIRITUAL WARFARE, 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. HOMICIDES DOWN BUT VIOLENT CRIME UP IN MAJOR US CITIES AS MIDTERMS APPROACH. Aggravated assaults are up 44 percent over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64 percent, Davis said. 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. The Buncombe county commissioners have stood with me 100 percent, he said, supporting pay raises and new equipment. The suspects left with more than $10,000 in merchandise and attempted to destroy the alarm system while inside, police said. 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. Change your mind about what? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Is downtown safe? He was identified as 42-year-old Joshua Kirk Spurgeon. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. How did they try to intimidate you? 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. 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.. The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. Nearly three-quarters were 29 or younger, and all but three were males. Community Crime Map provides basic information about the incidents, including the type of crime, location type, block-level address, date and time. We share your inclination to get the whole story. Crime in Asheville - Asheville, NC Crime Map | SpotCrime Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics for Asheville Watchdog. We understand, the web can be a dangerous place! 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. 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. Why and how is Tucker doing this and where do these extra people come from? Activists also dropped off a coffin filled with dirt and animal manure in front of APD headquarters at the time. Is the violence centered in or near public housing? Furr was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense and felony possession of stolen property. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) The Asheville Police Department arrested two people Thursday and is continuing to search for two more suspects. A dawn view of the skyline in Asheville, North Carolina, which has seen rising trends of violent crime in recent years. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. ", Asheville drew national attention this summer when Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, a local faith-based crisis pregnancy center, was among several similar pro-life establishments nationwide that were vandalized in June by the radical, Antifa-affiliated pro-abortion group "Jane's Revenge.". Can you bring your vape pen or e-cigarette on a plane? 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. Hair ran away from the scene, according to police. But the raging crime, carjackings and Mexican drug cartel activity described by Fox News? 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. They see people who are mentally unwell walking down the center of the street, talking to themselves, and they are fearful, Manheimer said. Asheville Watchdog: Fox News Misstates Stats, Claiming "Asheville Aggravated assaults are up 44% over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64%, Davis said. WebAsheville, North Carolina Crime Rate & Safety. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) New data from the Asheville Police Department (APD) shows the city's violent crimes are up 34% this year compared to 2021. Crime statistics dont provide the full picture of crime in a city. Crime information is available dating back to calendar year 2012. The Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Statistics samples U.S. households about crime victimization each year. Since the beginning of this year, violent crime is increasing, Davis said. 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 Are armed gang members or drug dealers coming into Asheville from Charlotte, Atlanta or other cities? 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 Post Announcements News WebA man was injured during a shooting early Saturday morning at an apartment in Asheville. And why did the tourists who overdosed on felonious drugs at the Grove Park last February not get charged? What are the demographics of the offenders and victims, and are the weapons being used mostly guns? It is a continuation of this theme of, You should worry. Last updated or reviewed on October 24, 2022. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. Asheville police offer tips to deter local business break-ins; What Police in North Carolina tourist town reveal worsening violent (Fox News Digital). Asheville police spokesman Bill Davis said the department has had 16 robberies involving theft of a vehicle since the beginning of 2021. It will be quite (humorous/tragic/surprising/expected?) Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. Manheimer said Ashevilles police department is understaffed, and were working hard to build back the ranks to be able to keep our community safe and respond to calls for service when the call is made.. Manheimer said some people suspect crimes in Asheville are going unreported because of the police departments decision, beginning in June 2021, tono longer respondin-person to calls about theft, fraud and other non-serious crimes due to staffing shortages. Police took Dixon and Furr were taken into custody. But are we ready for the day when Tucker Carlson and Ron DeSantis send busloads of extra people to Asheville? Of 17 murders in Asheville in 2019 and 2020, 14 of the perpetrators and 12 of the victims were Black. All rights reserved. "It's just been like a perfect storm of events and circumstances that are driving officers out of the profession who have a significant amount of time and experience invested. Xpress needs help, too. Dixon has a $5,000 bond and Furrs bond is $15,500. An Asheville Police Department vehicle parked in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Democrat-run tourist town sees 200% surge in break-ins amid News The one positive trend in the report is a reduction in gun crime. Is our community unsafe as the picture is painted by Fox News? Legal Statement. Support for law enforcement is a key issue among voters both in North Carolina and throughout the U.S. as crime surges in cities nationwide. But the violence, the mayor said, is fairly isolated in our community. 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 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. Thats tough to believe.. Nearly 60 percent of Ashevilles aggravated assault victims in 2020 were relatives or acquaintances of their attacker. 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. What they show is over half of serious crime doesnt even get reported to the police, Herrmann said. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Hairr or Spurgeon is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. The City of Asheville 70 Court Plaza P.O. The Asheville Policecrime dashboardshows crimes against people down 10% in the past year and crimes against property down 20%. Women accounted for nearly half of all violent crime victims in Asheville (46 percent), while men committed 80 percent of the crimes, according to data reported to the FBI for 2020, the latest year available. The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. Asheville once touted as a top And its not typically random., Asheville Watchdogmade three requests over two days to interview Asheville Police Chief David Zack about crime trends, but Davis said he has a very busy schedule., Zack did find time totalk to Fox Newsand said the exodus of more than 100 officers since May 2020 had limited the departments ability to be proactive and visible. We're already in the top 10% of violent cities in America.". One in five were strangers. And its not typically random., Asheville Watchdog made three requests over two days to interview Asheville Police Chief David Zack about crime trends, but Davis said he has a very busy schedule., Zack did find time to talk to Fox News and said the exodus of more than 100 officers since May 2020 had limited the departments ability to be proactive and visible. Another chyron proclaimed TOWN BECOMING HUB OF ANTIFA.. Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. 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 Democrat-run tourist town in North Carolina sees violent crime Asheville Youre not safe walking down the sidewalk. And thats not the case in Asheville., Fox News host Tucker Carlson last weektook 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.. Since the beginning of 2022, Asheville has seen an uptick in aggravated assaults, defined as attacking someone with the intent of causing severe injury. CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. Nearly 60% of Ashevilles aggravated assault victims in 2020 were relatives or acquaintances of their attacker. Becky Tin is a retired district court judge and lawyer. 0:04. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Do the people involved have criminal histories for violence or drugs? The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce a new free tool to help the public stay informed about crime in Asheville. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. In 2021, while Ashevilles police force was drastically reduced,violent crimedecreased. 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. Neither the Asheville City Council nor the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News recently told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. For instance, Wilmington, a city of 115,000 people on North Carolinas east coast, had double the number of murders as Ashevillebut a lower overall violent crime rate: 685 violent crimes per 100,000 population versus Ashevilles 805. 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. Duncan, who retired as sheriff in 2018, ran the department for 12 years, replacing Bobby Lee Medford. Asheville 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. The bookstore did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Asheville Crime Map | Interactive Crime Mapping in NC Overall Score 6.4 /10. 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. ", 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. Duncan said inthe segmentthat crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. "It's devastating what they've done here in town and the Asheville area," Nesbitt said of Antifa, whose activity he has followed closely ever since he was nearly killed during protests downtown following the verdict in the Breonna Taylor case in 2020. It won't be a retirement destination. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. The Asheville Police crime dashboard shows crimes against people down 10 percent in the past year and crimes against property down 20 percent. Crime perceptions are also shaped by more homeless people in and around downtown. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. And I think the community that is there now doesn't have that resolve. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community.