Downtown Safety Initiative

IN THIS UPDATE

• The Latest: Recent, Upcoming & Feedback Opportunity
• Data and Accountability
• Ways You Can Help
• Report Issues of Concern
• Contact Information

The Latest

Recent: 

• Provided continued increased public safety presence, enhanced cleanliness and proactive assistance to those in need in the downtown area. 

• Posted activities and actions tracked on the project page for May 1 - June 11, 2023 (see the “By the Numbers” tab). 

• Provided on-going support and engagement through AFD’s Community Responder Team (actions tracked on this public dashboard).

• Shared updates at Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) Membership Meeting on Wednesday, 6/7 (link to presentation)

• Shared updates at the Downtown Commission meeting on Friday, 6/9 (link to video)

Upcoming: 

• Thursday, June 22 at 9:00 a.m. - The Asheville Police Department will host a meeting focused on loss prevention for downtown businesses. The meeting will be held in the 4th Floor Training Room of the Municipal Building (100 Court Plaza). Please consider attending or helping to get the word out to interested businesses. Attendees should RSVP to Lt. Brien Griffin, bgriffin@ashevillenc.gov. 

• Tuesday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. - City staff will provide updates to City Council's Environment and Safety Committee. This will include next steps beyond the 60 day initiative. The meeting will be held virtually and live-streamed. More information will be posted on the Committee page here.

Share your feedback: 

The Asheville Downtown Association (ADA) is administering a survey to gauge impacts of the Downtown Safety Initiative. Results of the survey will be reviewed alongside a previous survey that was administered in early 2023. We encourage you to complete the survey here.

Data and Accountability 

The City’s Office of Data and Performance is tracking activities in the categories of Cleanliness, Community Support, Compliance and Environment Improvement.

Highlighted activities between May 1 and June 11 are live on the project page. The next update will be posted on June 30 which will cover activities for the time period May 1 through June 25, 2023.

Ways You Can Help

It will take a community response to address the complexities leading to safety concerns and the City continues to encourage community members to get involved.

Here are some ways to help: 

• Organize a community clean-up event in coordination with City staff and Asheville Greenworks. Email avldowntownsafetyinitiative@publicinput.com. 

• Schedule a public safety assessment walk to discuss public safety conditions in areas of interest, and work with City leadership to develop short and long-term strategies. See more information here and send an email avldowntownsafetyinitiative@publicinput.com. 

• Familiarize yourself with these crime prevention tips and share them with your networks. 

• Post No Trespassing signs on private property and sign a Trespass Letter with APD.

• Find support for issues related to homelessness. 

• Learn more about homelessness, the City’s Homeless Strategy Division, and how to join in the community’s response to homelessness. 

• Email the team at avldowntownsafetyinitiative@publicinput.com if you have additional ideas on how to help.

   

Report Issues of Concern

• Use the Asheville App to report issues related to public safety, cleanliness or other concerns. 

• Report crimes in-progress to 911.

• Report non-emergency public safety concerns to APD’s non-emergency line, (828) 252-1110.

• Report criminal activity anonymously by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or use the TIP2APD smartphone application.

Contact Information

Find more information on the project page
Email the team at avldowntownsafetyinitiative@pubicinput.com