Environment & Safety Committee – July 23, 2024

Environment & Safety Committee Meeting Recap – July 23, 2024

The Environment & Safety Committee convened virtually on July 23, 2024, with all committee members, city staff, and council present. The meeting covered a range of important topics impacting Asheville residents, from climate resilience initiatives to crime statistics and potential changes in how traffic accidents are investigated. This recap summarizes the key discussions, decisions, and next steps for those interested in staying informed about city government.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on the Elevate AVL Climate Justice Initiative. Committee members heard from Kira Bulan and Reggie Tidwell about this community-led resilience project, rooted in the city’s Climate Action Toolkit. The focus is on empowering neighborhoods to develop their own solutions, prioritizing trust-building and equitable information sharing. The initiative aims to create a Climate Action Toolkit that residents can use to take actionable steps toward a more resilient future, emphasizing the importance of "going slow to go fast" – prioritizing deep community engagement before widespread implementation.

Beyond the climate initiative, a quarterly crime update was presented by Chief Mike Lamb. While overall crime is down year-to-date, violent crime has seen a slight increase compared to last year (though still below 2022 levels), and property crime has significantly decreased, particularly in downtown and East Asheville. The Police Department is responding with increased patrols and targeted initiatives like the gun crime initiative, demonstrating a commitment to adapting strategies to address evolving safety concerns. Following this update, Deputy Chief Jackie Stepp presented a proposal for implementing Civilian Crash Investigators – a program currently successful in cities like Charlotte and Greensboro. This initiative would have trained civilians handle collision reports that don't involve serious injury or interstate accidents, freeing up police officers to focus on more critical calls and investigations.

The committee heard one public comment during the meeting, focusing primarily on concerns about criminalizing homelessness and advocating for a more supportive approach. The commenter also expressed strong support for the Civilian Crash Investigator program, highlighting its potential to reduce harm during traffic stops. Councilwoman Sandra Kilgore emphasized the importance of building social connections within communities as a foundation for addressing larger issues, while Councilmember Maggie Ullman (Chair) reiterated the value of “going slow to go fast” in community-led initiatives.

Key Decisions & Next Steps: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting on June 25th. Most notably, they expressed strong support for the Civilian Crash Investigator program and directed city staff to develop a detailed proposal, including budgetary needs. This proposal will be reviewed by the committee and then presented to City Council for consideration, potentially leading to a significant shift in how traffic accidents are handled. Regarding Elevate AVL, the focus will remain on continued community engagement and finalizing the Climate Action Toolkit for a soft launch rollout. Finally, the Police Department will continue to monitor crime trends and evaluate the effectiveness of current prevention strategies.

This meeting highlighted a commitment to both proactive climate resilience efforts and innovative approaches to public safety, demonstrating the Environment & Safety Committee's dedication to addressing key challenges facing Asheville residents. The upcoming proposal for Civilian Crash Investigators will be a crucial point of discussion, and citizens are encouraged to stay informed as it progresses through the approval process.