A new report from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office reinforced that the ongoing homelessness crisis and police staffing shortages must be addressed.
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office released the comprehensive report after participating in a 30-day supplemental patrol program with the Asheville Police Department.
“Sheriff (Quentin) Miller has been approached by many downtown residents and downtown business owners seeking some help,” said Michael Woods, director of Western Carolina Rescue Ministries shelter for the homeless.
The 16-page report detailed the importance of city leaders taking serious steps toward funding more police officers downtown amid the homeless crisis that has been impacting crime within the district.
According to the report, deputies patrolled 208 hours and received numerous “unsolicited thanks yous” and “glad you all are down here” from merchants.
Zack Russell, who owns a cosmetic store in the Grove Arcade, wasn’t aware of the report but said he has seen more officers patrolling in recent months.
“The difference I’ve seen since May has been more cops in the building,” Russell said. “That presence alone has decreased questionables that hang in the building.”
The sheriff’s report detailed specific crime problems from May to October 2022, when there were 145 thefts, 30 drug overdoses, 80 assaults/fights, 38 breaking and entering reports, 11 rape charges and 17 people with guns. A snapshot of 190 people needing assistance showed 84 were mental subjects, 35 were people down, 16 calls were for panhandling and 17 calls were for indecent exposure.
“I think our city leadership has taken the wrong path, and now we’re seeing the results of it,” Woods said. “Leaders have just let things happen.”
Miller is consulting with Woods about the homeless crisis.
Communication obtained by News 13 shows that APD officers were working in partnership with BCSO, although the report published by BCSO implied APD didn’t want to partner or collaborate. The sheriff’s report stated that the law enforcement departments must work together to focus on addressing crime problems downtown.
Woods said, as many experts have, that the societal crisis of homelessness is complicated and mental illness as well as substance abuse are often serious problems that municipalities struggle to fund or be able to address.
“The sheriff’s looking to put together a comprehensive type of plan that would include a lot of different facets,” Woods said. “We don’t have solutions in our county for people who are mentally ill, even though they may be committing a crime.”