Environment & Safety Committee – April 23, 2024

Environment & Safety Committee Meeting Recap – April 23, 2024

The Asheville Environment & Safety Committee convened virtually on April 23, 2024, addressing a range of topics impacting public safety and community well-being. The meeting included opportunities for public participation via phone and livestream, ensuring transparency and citizen engagement. This recap summarizes the key discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents to stay informed about city initiatives.

Key Decisions & Approvals: The committee made several important decisions during the meeting, all of which will now be forwarded to Asheville City Council for consideration and potential approval. First, the committee unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting on March 26th, ensuring accurate record-keeping. A significant decision involved a request from the UNC Asheville Police Department (UNCAPD) to expand their jurisdictional boundaries. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend this expansion to City Council, which would allow UNCAPD officers to respond to calls and enforce state law on student housing complexes adjacent to the UNC Asheville campus. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended accepting a $5,000 grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Program to continue the Bike Safe Motorcycle Safety Program, demonstrating a commitment to road safety initiatives.

Discussion Highlights: Crime Statistics, Police Staffing & Fire Department Updates: A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates from key public safety departments. The Asheville Police Department (APD) presented a quarterly update revealing encouraging crime statistics: both violent and property crimes have decreased compared to the same period last year (9% and 6%, respectively). While Chief Lamb highlighted a data-driven approach to policing, he also acknowledged ongoing challenges with staffing. The APD currently faces a 27.4% vacancy rate, impacting response times and officer workload. The committee also heard from UNCAPD Chief Dodd who emphasized the importance of collaboration with APD and providing a safe environment for students. The Asheville Fire Department (AFD) provided an update on their operations, noting that medical calls continue to dominate response volume. Assistant Fire Chief Knighton highlighted the department’s proactive Community Responder Program, which focuses on addressing community needs collaboratively, and emphasized their commitment to achieving a 4-minute response time for emergency calls. A recent successful cyber exercise also demonstrated the department’s evolving emergency management practices.

Community Input: Advocating for Police Funding: The meeting began with public comment, where a representative from the Asheville Coalition for Public Safety advocated for a 6% budgetary increase for the APD. They argued this was necessary to remain competitive with other cities and address ongoing staffing shortages, sparking a brief discussion about resource allocation within the department.

Action Items & Future Discussions: Several key action items emerged from the meeting, outlining what residents can expect in the coming months. The City Council will now review and vote on the recommendations regarding UNCAPD’s jurisdictional expansion and Bike Safe grant acceptance. The APD will continue its efforts to recruit and hire additional sworn officers, aiming to reduce the current vacancy rate. The committee will revisit discussions on the Civilian Crash Investigator Program in May, alongside reviews of stormwater initiatives and climate-related discussions. Finally, the Fire Department will conduct an after-action review following a recent water system incident to identify areas for improvement.

This meeting demonstrated the Environment & Safety Committee's ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and resilient Asheville. Residents can follow up with the City Council regarding the recommendations made by the committee, and stay informed about future discussions on critical public safety issues.