It will be quite (humorous/tragic/surprising/expected?) Legal Statement. 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. Heres what the stats do say about crime in Asheville and whos at risk: Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics forAsheville Watchdog. The Asheville Policecrime dashboardshows crimes against people down 10% in the past year and crimes against property down 20%. Legal Statement. 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. 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.. Officers also seized more than $10,000 in cash, a brick press, a vacuum sealer and a blender. The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce a new free tool to help the public stay informed about crime in Asheville. But as far as Asheville being safe, I think its safe.. Chad Nesbitt, the former chair of the Buncombe County GOP who now works as a local investigative journalist, attributed some of the city's problems to Antifa's presence in Asheville, which he described as "the hub of Antifa" in the region. ", 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. TUCKER CARLSON: WE'RE LOOKING AT A WAR ON THE POPULATION. And the most recent one We understand, the web can be a dangerous place! Both suspects were booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center. But the drug-dealing arrests in Buncombe thus far have not included Latinos. 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. The Community Crime Map is available on the Asheville Police Departments website by clicking on the crime mapping icon or atcommunitycrimemap.com. What they show is over half of serious crime doesnt even get reported to the police, Herrmann said. The bookstore did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 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. "The Asheville Police Department takes this very, very seriously," Capt. 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. You mean to tell me that Fox news manipulated statistics to fit the narrative of their agenda? The crime information can be viewed on a map or a data grid. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. For what purpose? Democratic Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by time of publication. 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. No, absolutely not., The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. ASHEVILLE - The city's violent crime has climbed to nearly double that of the national average, rising 31% in five years, according to recent police data that also Democrat-run tourist town sees 200% surge in break-ins amid The one positive trend in the report is a reduction in gun crime. 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. 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.. We share your inclination to get the whole story. (Fox News Digital). Both the Asheville Police Department (APD) and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office have been hemorrhaging officers in recent years, with many retiring early or simply quitting. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. Asheville Watchdog: Fox News Misstates Stats, Claiming "Asheville "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. 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. There were plenty of Republican-mayor cities with crime also going up, he said. An Asheville Police Department vehicle parked in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. ASHEVILLE - A lieutenant with the Biltmore Forest Police Department turned himself in after he was charged with a child sex crime in South "There's no stopping it unless you change what you're doing," Reece added. Asheville Aggravated assaults are up 44% over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64%, Davis said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Time for your type, the type to dehumanize and belittle anything white and male to be held accountable for your casual racism and sexism like the rest of us are. Asheville Police Department releases online crime statistics They see people who are mentally unwell walking down the center of the street, talking to themselves, and they are fearful, Manheimer said. Since the beginning of 2022, Asheville has seen an uptick in aggravated assaults, defined as attacking someone with the intent of causing severe injury. Asheville violent crime twice U.S. average, up 31%; but Radical abortionist group pledges violence after Roe overturned; Kristi Brown joins 'The Story' with response. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31% increase in violent crime in the last five years. Asheville saw a21% increasein the homeless, or unhoused population, in 2022 over 2021, leading to the belief by some residents and visitors that downtown has become dangerous. Asheville once touted as a top Are armed gang members or drug dealers coming into Asheville from Charlotte, Atlanta or other cities? Arrest 02/28/2023 11:00 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON "Our staff is working around the clock to follow up on instances of reports that have been taken.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. But as far as Asheville being safe, I think its safe.. Becky Tin is a retired district court judge and lawyer. Duncan said inthe segmentthat crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. WebAlleged downtown Asheville bomb thrower has new court date Buncombe County Commissioners talk affordable housing, cryptocurrency Did Punxsutawney Phil lie? The officer also cited an overall lack of leadership and the "liberal agenda" of some county commissioners and members of city council. Crime statistics dont provide the full picture of crime in a city. Another chyron proclaimed TOWN BECOMING HUB OF ANTIFA.. or redistributed. Duncan said in the segment that crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. Robberies are also up, 29%. Like other cities struggling with crime such as Los Angeles and New York City, Asheville has lost more than 100 officers since May 2020. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. 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. 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. Popular southern tourist city turning 'completely lawless' under Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Crime soars in Democrat-run tourist town in North Carolina. 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. Trends Analytics. 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.. All rights reserved. He was identified as 42-year-old Joshua Kirk Spurgeon. 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. "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. 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. But the raging crime, carjackings and Mexican drug cartel activity described by Fox News? Whether, Fox News got it wrong or right, really should not matter if everything is in excellent order here at home! 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. Is the violence centered in or near public housing? 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. This is an ugly, racist, sexist comment, and its also BS. He recounted that county police recently made the biggest fentanyl bust in Buncombe County history until APD made a bigger bust weeks later. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. KW you know the answer to thatwhite and maleand likely monied. Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics for Asheville Watchdog. Of 17 murders in Asheville in 2019 and 2020, 14 of the perpetrators and 12 of the victims were Black. Dixon has a $5,000 bond and Furrs bond is $15,500. All rights reserved. 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." Youre not safe in your own home. Among many other features, SimpliCity provides crime statistics for the address. Have any assaults been random, aimed at residents or tourists? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. "Officers overlook so many things because they know that it will go nowhere in court." Change my mind. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting TIP2APD to 847411. 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. Crime is a serious issue and one that I hear about as a top concern for our community, said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. Asheville, a city of approximately 90,000 people nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina, has seen a 31% surge in violent crime per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020, according to statistics released in the spring. Neither the Asheville City Council nor the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Asheville is largely a tourist driven economy and the city invests significant resources to promote it, which will be squandered if nothing is done. When police departments add or lose officers, theres not a direct correlation in crime, Herrmann said. This is a beautiful area and I hope that everyone will find a way to stop harming each other and visitors. Asheville Watchdogdug into the citys crime statistics and found violent crime in Asheville disproportionately affects Black residents, especially young Black residents. 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. View All 29 Photos . Market data provided by Factset. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. Evil exists in Asheville, officers are surrounded by it, and they do their best with what they have. 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. 0:04. The Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Statistics samples U.S. households about crime victimization each year. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. "And the first people who quit coming to those meetings were the people within the community. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Do the people involved have criminal histories for violence or drugs? You can take five-year snapshots, ten-year snapshots, one-year, year-over-year.. 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. 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.". ", "After 10 years at APD, I can say confidently that APD officers are good people with good hearts," he wrote. Duncan, who retired as sheriff in 2018, ran the department for 12 years, replacing Bobby Lee Medford. Do the people involved have criminal histories for violence or drugs? Community Crime Map automatically syncs with the Asheville Police Departments records system to keep crime information up-to-date. Elected democrats DESTROY cities. "Crime will continue to rise when there is no accountability for subjects of a crime," the officer said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. But the violence, the mayor said, is fairly isolated in our community. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com. I dont know if thats true or not, the mayor said. "Or Asheville will soon become a non-entity. Updated: Apr 25, 2022 / 11:12 AM EDT ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) The Asheville Police Department arrested two people Thursday and is continuing to search for two more suspects. 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. Community Crime Map provides basic information about the incidents, including the type of crime, location type, block-level address, date and time. Market data provided by Factset. Arrest 02/28/2023 11:00 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON DR Arrest 02/28/2023 7:30 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON DR Other 02/28/2023 3:36 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON DR Assault 02/28/2023 11:25 AM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON See here for our terms of service. Violent crime murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault went down in Asheville in 2021. I think I will need to see some evidence on this, or at least hear an argument made. The 31 percent increase is not current. Aggravated assaults are up 44 percent over the same period last year, and domestic-related aggravated assaults are up 64 percent, Davis said. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. 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. Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. Miller said he has not encountered an anti-law enforcement sentiment. Crime information is available dating back to calendar year 2012. Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. 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. Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. The monument stood in the center of downtown Asheville for 123 years before the city dismantled it in 2021. Is our community unsafe as the picture is painted by Fox News? We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. When police departments add or lose officers, theres not a direct correlation in crime, Herrmann said. And the most recent one-year look, from 2020 to 2021, shows a 6% decrease. I did see some peanuts being assaulted downtown the other day. Is the violence centered in or near public housing? 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. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. And why did the tourists who overdosed on felonious drugs at the Grove Park last February not get charged? 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. Please remember that.". Rates of homelessness have increased 21% since 2021, according to data released in May. (Walter Bibikow via Getty Images). 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 Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Statistics samples U.S. households about crime victimization each year. 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. "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. Its primarily attributable to the rise in aggravated assaults.. Asheville has so far seen 11 homicides in 2022, setting it on pace to surpass the homicide rate of 2021 and 2020. 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. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Hairr or Spurgeon is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. 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. The victim drove himself to the hospital after being shot. WebThe rate of crime in Asheville is 34.46 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. Asheville Local | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | WLOS Why and how is Tucker doing this and where do these extra people come from? APD Officers responded to 41 reports of break-ins Ongoing Violent Issues: Person Shot 10 Times In Tourist NC City (Daniell_Photography via Getty Images), Writing how he had come to believe that police were tasked beyond their capacity with "stopping societal issues and disorder," Wilson concluded that law enforcement solutions are merely "a Band-Aid" on such profound problems and that "strong communities are the real remedy. Former Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, who left the Democrat Party, joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss how crime spiraled out of control in Asheville as the city grapples with police shortages. Much of Asheville's violent crime trend can be attributed to aggravated assaults, according to an APD spokesperson. Those numbers include a broad range of offenses. Dixon was charged with felony possession of stolen property. 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. Asheville, a city of about 90,000 people in the mountainous western region of North Carolina in Buncombe County, has also been hemorrhaging both city and county police officers in recent years. Email [emailprotected]. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. I think they're more of an enabling community, and I don't see it getting any better.". Nesbitt maintained that local Antifa has worked its way into colleges and universities throughout western North Carolina, and that figures sympathetic to Antifa have risen to positions of power on the city council, which did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on his allegation. And I think the community that is there now doesn't have that resolve. I sent them the IMF death toll numbers from NC DHHS yesterday. or redistributed. ", 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. Thats tough to believe.. Police took Dixon and Furr were taken into custody. View crimes near me We want everyone to have access to our stories. 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. Activists also dropped off a coffin filled with dirt and animal manure in front of APD headquarters at the time. 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.. In 2021, while Ashevilles police force was drastically reduced, violent crimedecreased. The officer predicted the situation in the Asheville area is headed "downhill quickly" without a change in leadership.