City News

Category: Safety

City builds Asheville Fire Department Community Responder Program and refines homelessness services information page

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Kim Miller

As a part of its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Asheville City Council included 8 permanent positions for the Community Responder Team, in alignment with Homelessness Strategies and Reimagining Public Safety priorities. With the understanding that homelessness is a crisis, not a crime, Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Community Responders will be the lead and first on-the-scene [...]

BID survey information with image of downtown

Share your input to further shape the Downtown Business Improvement District services

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Jessica Hughes

The City of Asheville is seeking input from the public, including those who live, work and visit downtown, to help further shape the service needs and priorities for the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) based on the following focus areas: Safety & Hospitality: Ensuring a welcoming and secure environment for everyone Enhanced Cleaning: Keeping [...]

Asheville Asks: How do I request traffic calming in my neighborhood?

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Kim Miller

When residents identify a particular street segment as being potentially viable for traffic calming measures, the first step should be to fill out a Traffic Calming Program Questionnaire, which includes a petition to demonstrate neighborhood support. After sending this to the City, the Transportation Department will work with the neighbors to obtain any further [...]

Overnight street closure in downtown Patton Avenue area scheduled for July 18

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Jessica Hughes

A portion of Patton Avenue and connecting streets will be closed the night of July 18 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to the ongoing Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater project. To ensure crew and community safety, Patton Avenue from Grove Street to N. Ann Street will be fully closed to allow for crews to [...]

construction equipment at downtown restroom site

Progress continues on the downtown restroom project at College Street and Rankin Avenue

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Kim Miller

UPDATE: July 11, 2024 Progress continues on the Rankin Avenue and College Street bathroom facility downtown. Contractors have been on site this week as groundwork continues. Cameras will soon be installed to bring added security to the area. Delivery of the restroom facility will take place during later summer. The Portland Loo restroom will be delivered via crane, followed by [...]

Asheville Asks: How can I better protect my home or business?

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Kim Miller

We can all take steps around our property to help reduce crime. For Crime Prevention Tips and more, check out our safety and emergency preparedness page under the Services tab on the City of Asheville website homepage. A great first step is employing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) practices in and around your [...]

community members in hi-viz vests in a cross walk downtown

Safety and Cleanliness: it’s a community effort

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Kim Miller

group photo of members swift water rescue teams from Asheville Fire Department and Buncombe County Fire

Asheville Fire Department members help Houston during devastating floods

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Kim Miller

Task Force 2 is answering the call of duty once again, this time to aid our fellow Americans in Texas. The devastation wrought by flooding in the Houston area demands swift and decisive action, and our Type I swift water rescue team is on the move. Over the past week, hundreds of people have been [...]

beauty shot of downtown Asheville shows downtown skyline against blue skies

Recent statistics show a year on year reduction in property and violent crimes

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Kim Miller

At the most recent Environment and Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Asheville Police Department (APD) Chief Lamb and Captain Aardema updated committee members on city-wide crime statistics for the first quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023. Good News in Crime Reduction The comparisons are positive according to APD data. Statistics show an [...]

detour signs at pedestrian cross walks divert foot traffic as sidewalk works are carried out

Downtown Cleanliness and Safety Update – March 2024

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Kim Miller

There’s a lot underway to address the cleanliness and safety in downtown. If you want to be one of the first to know, we encourage you to sign up to receive the newsletter. Site Work Beginning for Downtown Restroom Project At the February 13 City Council meeting, council members approved resolutions authorizing the [...]

City improvements to sidewalks and Stormwater systems in the downtown area

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Kim Miller

The City of Asheville is working hard to ensure our downtown is enjoyable and accessible to all. Here are just some of the updates to sidewalk and Stormwater system improvements starting this March. Patton Avenue Sidewalk Replacement The City of Asheville Public Works Streets Division will be out as part of the sidewalk replacement project along the section [...]

City Council identifies FY25 priorities at Council Retreat February 22-23, 2024

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Kim Miller

During the recent Council Retreat on February 22 & 23, 2024, Asheville City Council was able to establish 6 strategic priorities for the next fiscal year. The strategic priorities help guide City Council, City staff, and the City’s annual operating and capital budget and annual work plans. The 6 priorities for FY2025 are: Neighborhood and Climate Resilience Equitable, [...]