Asheville violent crime twice U.S. average, up 31%; but gun violence down, police say (2024)
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 showed a positive trend in one area, a reduction in gun crime.
Police Chief David Zack said the local 2020 violent crime rate of 805 per 100,000 peopleis on the higher end of a rising trend in the nation's cities— with more violent crime per capita in Asheville than New York and Wilmington but less than Chicago, Charlotte and Fayetteville.
"It's not just an Asheville issue, but I think it's important for us, as a community, tounderstand that we do have a problem. And the only way you can drive that point home is through those comparisons," Zack told the Citizen Times March 22.
A 2021 drop in gun discharge calls and gunshot victims showed the Asheville Police Department's emphasis on reducing firearms violence was working, Zack said, calling it a "change in focus" with adjustments such as eliminating the drug suppression unit in favor of a new gun suppression unit.
Norma Baines, a longtime neighborhood leader of the historically Black neighborhood of Shilohthat experienced gun crime in 2021 with a resident shot 10 times on the porch of a home and in January of this year with 16 shots fired at an empty home, said she felt firearmincidents had "gone down some."
"I haven’t heard of any incidents lately that haveoccurred — at least in the last few months. So, Iam hopeful this will continue," Baines said.
Police compiled the data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Census Bureau and APD numbers. It was to be presented at theCity Council's March 22 three-member Public Safety Committee that was canceled by a council member because of a family issue, a city spokesperson said. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled.
According to the FBI, violent crimes are: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robberyand aggravated assault.
The 2020 national violent crime rate was 399 per 100,000 with North Carolina at 419. Among sixcities selected by APD, New York had the lowest rate at 545 followed by Wilmington, N.C., at 685, Asheville at 805, Charlotte at 916, Chicago at 968 and Fayetteville at 995.
North Carolina saw a 13% overall violent crime increase from 2016 to 2020. Among the selected N.C. cities, Wilmington saw a 3% climb and Charlotte was up 13%. Asheville rose 31% and Fayetteville 32%.
Some have linked crime rises to economic recession but Zack said the issue was too complex to attach to one issue and that "all you can do is say, 'hey, what is going on in our city?'"
In Asheville, the increase has been driven by aggravated assaults, defined as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. The actual number of such assault investigations has risen 46%, from 295 to 430in the five-year period of 2017 to 2021.
Local gun crimedown
Zack, who came from a Western New York department, took office in 2020 pointed at what he said was Asheville's strikingly high gun violence numbers.
Those included 495 gun discharge calls in 2017, 395 in 2018, 522 in 2019 and 652 in 2020. In 2021, that number dropped to 547.
In another set of numbers Zack said showed positive change, there were 31 gunshot victims last year. That was the lowest from 2017-2021 which saw a high of 45 people shotin 2020.
Zack attributed the reduction to a new smartphone app-based anonymous tip lineandincreased local forensics capability, including a $70,000 portable on-scene cartridge scanner to determine whether a gun is linked to other crimes. The equipment is something used by only 40 agencies in the country, the chiefsaid.
There is also the increased focus on crime that has led to 194 stolen firearms recovered in 2021 compared to 100 in 2017, Zack said.
But community trust is still something police must work to improve, he said.
APD has faced recent low points in this area, with the 2018 revelation of a brutal police beating of a Black resident stopped for jaywalking and 2020 racial justice protests in which officers fired tear gas into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators that included children. Demonstrators called for cutting police funding.
Since that time, many officers quit and staffing problems have continued. Zack saidrecent police actions to curb gun violence have not meant "over policing" of minority neighborhoods, in part because of low officer numbers, but also because of heavy use of data and a focus on the few people who are responsible for much of the crime.
"We're also getting requests for greater police presence," he said. "So we're managing to do this without what some might call over policing, without occupying neighborhoods."
Baines, the Shiloh neighborhood leader, said she supported what she has seen police do so far.
"I am very appreciated of all the methods they have in place to combat crime. And I'm glad there's been a reduction in gun violence."
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess atjburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter@AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with asubscriptionto the Citizen Times.
Asheville violent crime twice U.S. average, up 31%; but gun violence down, police say. 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 showed a positive trend in one area, a reduction in gun crime.
Asheville, North Carolina saw a 31% increase in violent crime as of 2020. This led to Asheville being ranked with a higher violent crime rate than the national average.
The announcement comes as violent crime in Asheville, a town of approximately 90,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has surged in recent years. Aggravated assaults rose by 21.8%, and armed robberies increased by 20% from 2021 to 2022, according to APD statistics.
According to the department's presentation, violent crime increased 17.4% from 2021 to 2022. Violent crime includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. During the same time period, Asheville saw a 21.8% increase in aggravated assaults.
It still leans Republican, but much less so than the previous iteration, as it once again includes all of Asheville. On February 23, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved a new map which removed Avery and Mitchell Counties from the district.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina counties and cities are now allowed to create their own "social districts," where you can walk around and consume alcoholic drinks in designated outdoor areas. The measure is part of a big Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) "omnibus" bill that Gov.
North Carolina has a zero-tolerance policy that allows you to drink regardless of whether your parents allow it. NC Law states that it is illegal to possess, purchase, or consume alcohol if you're under 21 years of age. It is illegal to purchase alcohol if you are under 21.
The most dangerous city in North Carolina is Lumberton. Located in Robeson County, Lumberton has a population of 19,025 and a crime rate of 132.30 per 1,000 residents, which is disproportionately high.
With a population of 94,067, Asheville has a combined rate of violent and property crime that is very high compared to other places of similar population size.
Who's homeless in Asheville? In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing.
The safest city in North Carolina is Rolesville. The city has a population of 10,050 people and is located in Northeastern Wake County, just outside Raleigh.
The most dangerous city in America is Memphis, Tennessee. With a population of 628,127, Memphis has a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. Memphis has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an exceptionally high violent crime rate.
Asheville, North Carolina has been on the best places to live list as well as best places to retire in the United States. Asheville has good weather, rich culture, education offerings, and ample opportunities to stay physically active. Here are a few reasons why we love Asheville & think it's the #1 place to Retire!
A multitude of reasons come into play regarding Asheville's relatively high cost of living, the most prominent being the lack of high paying jobs in the area. Unless you move to Asheville with a job already in place, you are going to have to look long and hard for a job.
North Carolina has voted for the Republican candidate in all but one presidential election since 1980; the one exception was in 2008, when a plurality of North Carolinians voted for Barack Obama.
Some notable wins for Democrats in the state include Jeff Jackson in the 14th Congressional District and Alma Adams in District 12, as well as Wiley Nickel in District 13 and Don Davis in District 1. North Carolina has widely been considered a “purple” state, where neither party dominates.
Orange County has gained a reputation as one of the most liberal counties in North Carolina. The county consistently delivers one of the largest Democratic majorities in the state in presidential, state, and local elections.
Low wages, corporate landlords, lack of rent control, high prices, brutal traffic, the fake homeless, street crime and white collar crime have all combined to make Asheville an increasingly undesirable place in which to call home.
Party for Socialism and Liberation - Asheville and about 20 demonstrators gathered at Pack Square, calling for "justice for Tyre Nichols and an end to racist police terror!"
An open container of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited in the passenger area of any motor vehicle (commercial or non-commercial) located on the highway or highway right of way - even if the vehicle is parked except as listed below. If the seal on a container of alcoholic beverage has been broken, it is open.
On Sunday, you can't buy alcohol until 10 a.m. The so-called "Brunch Bill" of 2017 made it legal for restaurants to sell alcohol to customers on Sundays starting at 10 a.m. Until that law was passed, North Carolina didn't permit any Sunday alcohol sales before noon.
No.Alcohol is not sold on Sundays in NC. Consumers are able to purchase alcohol between Monday and Saturday during designated hours which must be between 7 AM and 2 AM. All ABC Stores in the state are closed on Sundays.
Did you know that Buncombe County is technically a 'dry' county? Fortunately, four municipalities including Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville and Woodfin voted to sell spiritous liquor. Last year these four boards' combined liquors sales were $55.5M, with over 80% of sales coming from Asheville's nine stores.
All parts of North Carolina have been hit by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, lightning strikes, snow and ice storms. These natural disasters can cause power outages, property damage and disruption to food and water supplies.
Rates vary broadly between states. For example, Maine saw the lowest rate of volent crime in the FBI' data (109 per 100,000 people in 2020) while Alaska saw the highest (838 per 100,000). Massachusetts saw the lowest rate of property crime (1,053 per 100,000) while Louisiana saw the highest (2,884 per 100,000.)
Asheville is a great town with great people and a great environment. With many things to do like hiking, exploring nature, eating out, or simply having fun, Asheville has it all. The diversity of Asheville is extremely welcoming. People from all over the world come to visit Asheville, and with great reason!
The City of Asheville recently launched a 60-day program in order to combat recent spikes in violent crime, particularly in the downtown area. This announcement comes as many residents in the city have raised concerns over the increase in crime, demanding that swift and decisive action be taken to halt the violence.
countless adventures that take you to breathtaking views, magical waterfalls, and best of all, clean fresh air. Whether you're into technical sports like whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or mountain biking, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature, Asheville is the perfect hub.
A recent report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness noted that homelessness is exacerbated by the city's staggering affordable housing crisis, compounded by the impacts of the pandemic. Asheville is more expensive than 98% of other North Carolina cities and is home to the highest rents in the state.
The largest numbers of homeless individuals in North Carolina live in the urban centers, reflecting general patterns of population density: Mecklenburg (2,418), Wake (1,098), Guilford (949), and Durham (759).
California has the highest homeless population in the US, with 161,548 people experiencing homelessness. Of those, 8,030 are homeless households, 51,785 are chronically homeless, and 12,172 are young adults.
Louisiana is currently the state with the highest murder rate in the US, with a rate that stands at 22.9 homicides per 100,000 people. This puts Louisiana at more than double the overall national average and far above other states in terms of homicide rates.
(The Center Square) – Chicago recorded 697 total homicides in 2022, far more than any other city in the United States, but New Orleans had the highest murder rate per capita, according to a new report from a nonprofit research group.
Of the 405 towns in the state with available data, Scotland Neck ranks as the poorest. The typical Scotland Neck household earns just $15,985 a year, 73.6% less than the statewide median household income. Given the low incomes, it is not surprising that a larger than average share of residents live in poverty.
Violent crimes, on the other hand, remain low in both states. However, North Carolina's overall crime rate of 26.87 sits roughly 20% below South Carolina's, making it the safer option.
The cost of crime per capita in U.S. cities was $1,836 in 2021, up 6%, or $100 per capita since 2020. Naperville, Illinois, retained its No. 1 rank as the safest city overall ($156 per capita); St. Louis, Missouri, also kept its rank as the most dangerous city, with the highest per capita crime ($8,457).
Frisco, Texas, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has been ranked the number 1 safest city to live in the U.S. It boasts the fourth-lowest violent crime rate and the sixth-lowest property crime rate.
Question: What is a curfew? Answer: The curfew prohibits anyone within the City of Asheville, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., from gathering or demonstrating on any public street, sidewalk, or public property.
As a general rule, the Asheville area is a very safe place to live. Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the population of Asheville is still only 91,560 (as of 2019). So Asheville still has a small town feel with fewer of the crime problems that can plague bigger cities.
So who is North Carolina's most notorious serial killer? Henry Louis Wallace is considered the most infamous killer in the history of North Carolina after murdering nearly a dozen women around Charlotte who all shared some connection with the man.
McCutcheon, 64, was killed by his wife, Brenda McCutcheon, who was sentenced to life in prison after an investigation found she shot her husband in the head at their Tree Top Drive home in Arden. They had been married 32 years.
Henry Louis Wallace, known as “The Charlotte Strangler” and “The Taco Bell Strangler,” murdered 11 Black women in the span of four years in the 1990s. Wallace was the manager of a Taco Bell restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Face Coverings: (Updated: 4/27/22) - Face coverings in public indoor spaces are no longer required; however, please be aware that individual businesses and organizations may continue to require masks at their own discretion. Thank you for respecting our local businesses and adhering to their individual policies.
New law allows drinking in 'social districts,' eases alcohol restrictions in NC. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina counties and cities are now allowed to create their own "social districts," where you can walk around and consume alcoholic drinks in designated outdoor areas.
Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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