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. 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. Carjacking is not a criminal charge in North Carolina. the mere fact that this is being presented nationally is disturbing and humilating. Thats tough to believe.. Those numbers include a broad range of offenses. Lets Eat at Waynes Lunchbox in Spindale, N.C. 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Overall Score 6.4 /10. Furr was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense and felony possession of stolen property. Each year, aggravated assaults made up the majority of Ashevilles violent crimes, accounting for about two-thirds to nearly three-quarters. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. When police departments add or lose officers, theres not a direct correlation in crime, Herrmann said. The 31% increase is not current. But the sheriff said, We didnt see an increase as far as crimes being committed., An online version of 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.. Hair ran away from the scene, according to police. See here for our terms of service. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting TIP2APD to 847411. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We're already in the top 10% of violent cities in America.". Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. 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. Arrest 02/28/2023 11:00 PM 100 BLOCK OF DAVIDSON The jail population did decline, especially during the worst of Covid, as some non-violent inmates awaiting trial were released. Youre not safe in your own home. The bookstore did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 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. Violent crime murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault went down in Asheville in 2021. 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.. 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.. The protests that roiled Asheville that summer were especially tense, with APD officers decked out in riot gear engaging in an hours-long standoff with protesters on a bridge leading into the city. The 31 percent increase is not current. 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. federal charges following an investigation into Nearly three-quarters were 29 or younger, and all but three were males. WebWLOS News 13 provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for 0:04. Youre not safe in your own home. 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. The Asheville Police crime dashboard shows crimes against people down 10 percent in the past year and crimes against property down 20 percent. The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce a new free tool to help the public stay informed about crime in Asheville. Asheville, NC Look at how the Buncombe commissioners talk about the main driver of crime; being Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. Police took Dixon and Furr were taken into custody. The new violent crime numbers, which include a 59% year-to-date spike in armed robberies compared to 2021, come as two suspects made local headlines this week, allegedly beating a man with a baseball bat and robbing him along a heavily trafficked avenue that runs north from downtown Asheville. CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. What Ive learned over the years is you can apparently slice and dice crime data however youd like, Manheimer said. 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.. Can you bring your vape pen or e-cigarette on a plane? Fox News recently told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. How did they try to intimidate you? 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. There certainly are people that are at higher risk, Manheimer said. Asheville I did see some peanuts being assaulted downtown the other day. "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. While canvassing the area, officers located three shell casings along with damaged property. Crime Map. Proven time after time. 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. Crime statistics dont provide the full picture of crime in a city. The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. In a Facebook post, officers said that would be enough fentanyl for 625,000 lethal doses. He was identified as 42-year-old Joshua Kirk Spurgeon. Crime news: Asheville homicide suspect was just out of prison before murder charge; transferred back. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. 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. Zack said the APD has lost more than 100 sworn officers since May 2020, which he noted is roughly equivalent to 600 years of experience walking out the door. (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. Email [emailprotected]. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Elected democrats DESTROY cities. 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. 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 Duncan said in the segment that crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. 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 However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. Duncan, who retired as sheriff in 2018, ran the department for 12 years, replacing Bobby Lee Medford. The only violent crime that has seen reductions is rape, down 28%, he said. No, absolutely not., The Fox News report blamed Ashevilles left-leaning politicians for the citys purported violent crime problem. 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. Becky Tin is a retired district court judge and lawyer. 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. Crime statistics dont provide the full picture of crime in a city. "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. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Asheville police body camera video shows two online journalists being arrested during the homeless camp encampment sweep and a simultaneous protest in December 2021. And why did the tourists who overdosed on felonious drugs at the Grove Park last February not get charged? 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. Is downtown safe? "Officers overlook so many things because they know that it will go nowhere in court." I wear Foxs contempt for the town I was born in, raised in, and continue to live in, as a badge of honor! Market data provided by Factset. Both suspects were booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center. Is downtown safe? "Evil is real. One in five were strangers. Duncan said inthe segmentthat crime started to climb as those leftist politicians set an agenda that included reducing the jail population. Democratic Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by time of publication. Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. https://mountainx.com/news/buncombe-shapes-plan-to-tackle-opioid-crisis/. I think I will need to see some evidence on this, or at least hear an argument made. Cities across the country are hiring after losing officers in the past couple of years. "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. The suspects left with more than $10,000 in merchandise and attempted to destroy the alarm system while inside, police said. UNC Asheville takes on South Carolina Upstate in Big South 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. The monument stood in the center of downtown Asheville for 123 years before the city dismantled it in 2021. Firestorm Bookstore Co-op in West Asheville, which has faced allegations of being a front for extremist Antifa activity. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! More people today are armed with weapons and guns, said Miller, an Asheville native. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Trends Analytics. #46 in Best Places to Live. Skyline of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Market data provided by Factset. Crime perceptions are also shaped by more homeless people in and around downtown. What are the demographics of the offenders and victims, and are the weapons being used mostly guns? You mean to tell me that Fox news manipulated statistics to fit the narrative of their agenda? The Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is a historic resort hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, that has hosted several presidents. Fox News last week told a national audience that Asheville has seen a 31 percent increase in violent crime in the last five years. Asheville Police Department releases online crime statistics Asheville Crime and Safety | NewsBreak Asheville, NC But I would have to think they would be more of the kind of smaller, petty types of things, not violent crime.. We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. ASHEVILLE - A lieutenant with the Biltmore Forest Police Department turned himself in after he was charged with a child sex crime in South A dawn view of the skyline in Asheville, North Carolina, which has seen rising trends of violent crime in recent years. Crime is a serious issue and one that I hear about as a top concern for our community, said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. WHY do they have NO ability to run a safe city ? Community Crime Map automatically syncs with the Asheville Police Departments records system to keep crime information up-to-date. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. It won't be a retirement destination. Do tell. Of the reported robberies in 2020, 26% of the victims were strangers. Post Announcements News Herrmann reviewed Ashevilles crime statistics for Asheville Watchdog. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com. Have any assaults been random, aimed at residents or tourists? Asheville Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. The Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is a historic resort hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, that has hosted several presidents. 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.. 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. Leaders need to be honest about what happening and address it. He recounted that county police recently made the biggest fentanyl bust in Buncombe County history until APD made a bigger bust weeks later. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. It refers to a period ending in 2020, when crime had increased nationwide. 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. 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. Robberies are also up, 29 percent. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. 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. 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. But I would have to think they would be more of the kind of smaller, petty types of things, not violent crime.. Popular southern tourist city turning 'completely lawless' under Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. WebA man was injured during a shooting early Saturday morning at an apartment in Asheville. 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 Democrat-run tourist town sees 200% surge in break-ins amid 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", 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. I am scared of nobody but THIS is what is making Asheville a more dangerous place to live. 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. Seems like everyone holding their breath for the Asheville-Buncombe Public Safety Strategy is a weird and scary interregnum. Crime perceptions are also shaped by more homeless people in and around downtown. I think overall the national trend is things are kind of getting back to normal. It is a continuation of this theme of, You should worry. Asheville and Western North Carolina news, investigative reporting, city and county government news. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. CRIME SOARS IN DEM-RUN TOURIST TOWN, said the chyron. 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. 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. Asheville Watchdog sent the police department a list of questions about the increases: How many are drug- or gang-related? WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) A man in Asheville is facing numerous charges after being accused of trafficking drugs. 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.. Fox News: Asheville Is Crime-Ridden, Dangerous Asheville news Basic information about the incidents, such as the type of crime, location type, block-level address, and date and time, is also available. The victim drove himself to the hospital after being shot. Democrat-run tourist town in North Carolina sees violent crime Asheville Watchdog: Fox News Misstates Stats, Claiming "Asheville or redistributed. Crime Map. The officer predicted the situation in the Asheville area is headed "downhill quickly" without a change in leadership. 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. He also said Antifa and activists were active in Asheville and described the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 as riots.. Its primarily attributable to the rise in aggravated assaults.. 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. 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. #24 in Best Places to Retire. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Theres no doubt that the social justice protests of 2020 and Covid have certainly strained all the police departments, Herrmann said. 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. 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.