LIVE @ Asheville Citizens / Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) 9/4/19

Asheville CPAC Meeting Recap: Focus on Consent Policy, Crime Trends, and Collaboration

On September 4, 2019, the Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) convened to discuss a range of critical issues impacting public safety and community relations within Asheville. The meeting, which included a presentation on civil discourse from the National Pied Dance Center, provided updates on crime statistics, delved into a proposed written consent policy aimed at addressing disproportionate stops and searches, and explored avenues for enhanced collaboration with the Human Relations Commission (HRC).

A significant portion of the meeting centered on a proposed written consent policy, presented by City Manager Deborah Campbell. This policy is designed to address concerns raised about racial disparities in police stops and searches, particularly highlighted by data from organizations like the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. The policy would primarily focus on vehicle stops, requiring officers to obtain written consent before conducting searches and ensuring individuals are informed of their rights. Key features include officer and community training, the use of body-worn cameras to record consent searches, and ongoing consideration of expanding the policy's scope to include pedestrian stops. While committee members generally supported the intent, concerns were raised regarding ensuring accessibility and understanding of consent forms for all residents, as well as the potential impact on officer-community interactions. The Chief of Police is currently reviewing implementation details and scope, with training a priority before full rollout.

Beyond the consent policy discussion, APD provided an update on crime statistics across various Asheville neighborhoods. While Central Asheville saw a 7% decrease in overall crime, other areas experienced concerning increases. West Asheville saw a 2% increase, North Asheville remained consistent with increased fraud and stolen vehicles, East Asheville experienced a significant 28% increase with rising assaults and burglaries, and South Asheville saw a 21% rise in motor vehicle theft. Specific hotspots identified included the Episcopio Apartments (violent assaults), residential areas between Louisiana Ave and Burnton Street, Haywood Road/Exit 44 (property crime), Five Points neighborhood (vehicle-related crimes), and Malvern Hills Park (vehicular crime). Committee members emphasized the need for APD to provide more detailed analysis alongside these statistics, explaining how data informs departmental actions and strategies – a request for an "operational response" component to future reports.

A key discussion revolved around how CPAC can best collaborate with the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to address community concerns. The committee expressed a strong desire for informal discussions between the chairs of both groups to explore potential joint initiatives. Limitations on CPAC's subpoena power were also discussed, highlighting the importance of voluntary mediation efforts. Finally, a report referencing APD officers involved with racist and white supremacist websites was referenced, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance regarding officer conduct. Blake Thompson was elected as the new chair, with Sean Brown remaining as vice-chair.

What's Next?

Several key action items emerged from the meeting:

• Blake Thompson will coordinate a meeting between CPAC and HRC leadership to discuss collaborative opportunities.
• The City Attorney will meet with CPAC and HRC leaders to explore legal considerations surrounding mediation.
• APD will continue refining the written consent policy and developing training programs for officers and the community.
• APD will work to incorporate an "operational response" section into future crime statistics reports, detailing how data informs departmental strategies.

This meeting highlighted the ongoing commitment of CPAC to fostering transparency and accountability within the Asheville Police Department, addressing concerns about racial disparities in policing practices, and working collaboratively to improve community safety. Residents can expect further updates on the written consent policy implementation as well as increased efforts to coordinate with the Human Relations Commission.