Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

February 2025

Chief’s Monthly Summary 

In October 2023, a young woman was tragically shot and killed inside a local restaurant on Four Seasons Boulevard. This was a shocking and unexplainable crime. However, we learned a lot about ourselves in the ensuing investigation. Most notably, we learned that we lacked sufficient department resources to help people experiencing a mental health crisis. This lesson put us on a two-year journey to develop new skills to allow us to help someone before they become a victim of violent crime. 

Fast forward to November 2025, we welcomed our first full-time Police Social Worker when we hired Cammy Holt. Cammy’s hiring makes us one of the few law enforcement agencies in North Carolina who have an embedded Police Social Worker in their “toolbox.” Having a Police Social Worker is not a “woke” or “touchy-feely” way of policing. Instead, a Police Social Worker is simply a more effective way of policing and protecting the vulnerable from harm.  

Police Officers are often called to scenes they are not well-equipped to handle. More often today, law enforcement is asked to solve homelessness, treat mental health, reverse drug overdoses, and countless other societal issues. Understand, policing is purpose built to enforce the laws, arrest criminals, and protect communities from crime. We are not doctors, clinicians, or non-profits. Still, when you call 911, we will respond. 

Cammy responds with our officers when safe to do so. She can connect people with resources to help them avoid needing police services again and free up Officers for other calls. She might help a homeless person get into a shelter, help a domestic violence victim get a protective order, or get a person addicted to drugs into rehab. She is a specialist who can spend more time assisting someone than a Police Officer generally can. Cammy also has the expertise to follow up with people to help ensure they are staying connected to resources. She knows the issues and the resources available to help. 

We know that jail, a great place for criminals, is often not the best place for people with mental illness. In fact, jail is often a terrible place for them and generally only exacerbates the crisis. Incarceration, absent effective treatment, does not address the underlying mental health issue. Instead, when the person is released, police respond repeatedly to calls for service because the mental health issue remains unresolved. Enter the Police Social Worker.   

Cammy is highly skilled and passionate. She is eager to help our officers handle calls more effectively and get to the next call more quickly. Use this link https://youtu.be/d4_e2pkHI7w to access a short video that explains more about Cammy’s work and that of our embedded mental health clinician.

One Team, One Goal. #MountainExcellence.

Call Statistics

% change describes the data compared to the previous month's numbers

Calls For Service

• Calls Answered: 4,068; +1.07% 

• Calls Dispatched: 2,448; -.01% 

Traffic Safety

• Traffic Stops: 306; -1.9% 

• Citations Issued: 129; -4.4% 

• DWI Arrests: 8; +100% 

• Motor Vehicle Crashes: 107; +23% 

• Injury Crashes: 5; -37.5% 

Top Five Crash Locations:

1. Chimney Rock Rd at Francis Rd/Sugarloaf Rd (5) 

2. Chimney Rock Rd at Howard Gap Rd (4) 

3. Chimney Rock Rd at Highland Square Dr (3) 

4. Blythe St at Valmont Dr (3) - Weather Related 2/5/2026 

5. Church St at 6th Ave W (2) 

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

• Custodial Arrests: 64; +8% 

• Incident Reports: 89; -6% 

• Drug Offenses: 9; -44% 

• Larcenies: 26; +13% 

• Assaults: 12; No Change 

Employee Actions

• Officer Joreeca Dinnall began the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series by attending the Supervisor Leadership Institute. This leadership series is comprised of three classes which are designed to provide a comprehensive leadership education.  

• Officers completed an officer safety class called “Surviving the First Three Seconds.” This class teaches officers how to read body language and recognize indicators that an attack is likely or imminent. 

• A conditional offer of employment was made to Garrett Dean. Garrett accepted and is expected to start as a Police Officer 1 in March. 

Safety Tip – Avoiding Traffic Crashes

Crash rates in the City of Hendersonville are extremely high. We average 50% more crashes annually than a comparable city for our size. There are many factors that contribute to our high numbers of crashes. Rarely, a motor vehicle crash is accidental. Human factors are the cause of nearly every single crash. That is why we call them crashes; not accidents.  

Knowing this, here are some tips to help you avoid being involved in a crash. 

• Put your d@&# phone down!!!: Nearly 50% of motor vehicle crashes are caused by drivers using their phones. Phone use while driving is an epidemic. Don’t be a statistic. 

• Avoid distracted driving: Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. 

• Drive the posted speed limit: Speeding is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes. Pedestrian fatality rates exceed 50% at 30mph and higher. 

• Follow the 3-second rule: Maintain a safe, 3-second, or greater, following distance from the car in front of you. 

• Never drive impaired: Do not drive after consuming drugs or alcohol. 

• Use seat belts: Always wear seat belts and ensure children are in appropriate car seats. 

• Drive defensively: Anticipate the actions of other drivers, check mirrors frequently, and be aware of your surroundings. 

• Follow traffic signals: Stop completely at red lights and stop signs, look both ways before proceeding, and do not accelerate to “beat the light.” 

• Maintain your vehicle: Regularly check brakes, tires, lights, and wipers to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate. 

• Manage fatigue: Avoid long drives without breaks and pull over if you feel drowsy. 

• Be careful at intersections: Over 40% of crashes occur at intersections; approach with caution and look for other drivers running red lights.  

Complaints and Findings

• A citizen complaint was made against an officer alleging excessive force and misconduct. This complaint is currently under internal review.  

• A citizen complained that an officer was driving the speed limit in the left lane on I-26. This complaint is currently under internal review.  

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• None

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• While attempting to arrest a suspect who refused to exit a vehicle, an officer pointed their firearm at the suspect until the officer could see the suspect did not pose a threat. The suspect was taken into custody without further force being applied. This use of force was reviewed and found to have been reasonable, lawful, and necessary.  

Operations/Notable Events 

• Detectives are investigating an assault using a vehicle at Hendersonville High School after a sporting event. The victim, a student, sustained significant injuries but is expected to recover. The suspect, also a student, has been identified. This is an ongoing investigation, and charges are expected. 

• Detectives responded to the area of Chadwick Ave and Lawn Ave in reference to a stabbing. The suspect was apprehended on scene and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. The victim suffered several lacerations and has since been released from the hospital.  

• After a lengthy investigation, detectives arrested a Pisgah Forest man for possession of child pornography while living in Hendersonville. The suspect, now a defendant, is being held at the Henderson County Jail. 

• The department responded to thirteen reports of fraud with seniors being the most common type of victim.  

Community Outreach/Special Events

• Several meetings were held this month with the Downtown Committee and COH staff in preparation for the upcoming special event season.  

• Staff are planning for the July 4th 250th Anniversary celebration. 

• Staff are working with organizers to develop a safety plan for the ‘No Kings 3.0” protest scheduled for March 28, 2026. 

SRO Activities

• No notable activities

Fraud

• Due to the frequency and magnitude of frauds perpetrated against our senior community, we will be adding a section next month as a constant reminder to protect oneself against fraud. 

Budget Summary

• We are approximately 64% through the fiscal year. 

• We have spent or reserved $5,050,465 or 61% of our budget. 

• View the City of Hendersonville Budget Dashboard

Grants Management 

• Hendersonville Police Department has applied to the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program for grant funding related to making “roads safer for older drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, commercial motor vehicles and school buses.” The grant funding period would begin FY 2027 if approved. The submission review is ongoing.  

Recruiting/Retention

• 1 of 14 non-sworn employee vacancies exist. 

• 1 of 47 Police Officer vacancies exist. 

  • (2) applications received 

  • (0) in background 

  • (1) conditional offer made 

  • (0) rejected 

  • (0) withdrawn 

Learn more about employment with the Hendersonville Police Department.