# Rescheduled: Public Safety Committee (Virtual) (Jul 29, 2026)

**Body:** City of Asheville — Public Safety Committee
**Date:** July 29, 2026 11:00 AM EDT (2026-07-29T11:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The City of Asheville Public Safety Committee held a virtual meeting on July 29, 2026, chaired by Council Member Bo Hess. The committee, consisting of Council Member Sheneika Smith and Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley, reviewed operational updates from the Asheville Police Department (APD) and the Asheville Fire Department (AFD), as well as presentations on the co-responder mental health partnership and regional hazard mitigation. The session focused on public safety strategies, including gun violence prevention, firefighter wellness, and disaster preparedness.

**Key Decisions and Votes**
The committee took two formal actions during the meeting. First, Council Member Mosley moved to approve the minutes from the May 28, 2020, meeting, which passed unanimously with a 3-0 vote. Second, the committee recommended the adoption of the Buncombe-Madison Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan to the full City Council. This motion, also moved by Council Member Mosley, passed unanimously (3-0). The plan, which includes 28 action items to maintain FEMA grant eligibility and improve resilience following Hurricane Helene, will now proceed to the full council for a final vote.

**Discussion Highlights**
Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp provided an update on gun violence, noting that year-to-date homicides are slightly higher than the same period in 2024/2025 but remain below historical trends. The department has seized 97 firearms, including illegal "Glock switches" that convert semi-automatic weapons to automatic. Chief Stepp highlighted the deployment of a fourth community resource officer to high-traffic zones and requested public assistance regarding a recent shooting on Biltmore Avenue.

Deputy Chief Sean Aardema and Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Knighton presented on the expansion of the co-responder program, which embeds mental health professionals with APD and AFD to divert individuals in behavioral health crises away from jail and emergency departments. Deputy Chief Chris Budzinski detailed AFD’s cancer prevention strategies, including gear decontamination and specialized screenings, and announced the implementation of a "fourth shift" (Shift D) starting the following Saturday. This shift reduces line firefighter hours from 56 to 52.6 per week, with a long-term goal of 42 hours to improve mental health and comply with potential future state legislation.

**Community Input and Debate**
Council Member Sheneika Smith expressed condolences for the victims of the Biltmore Avenue shooting and questioned the effectiveness of current violence interruption models, noting that law enforcement involvement can reduce street credibility. She proposed a curfew for minors under 18 with parental accountability, stating, "We have to show the evils that we mean business... it's worth exploring, and I think it is the measure we should take to keep all of us safe."

Council Member Bo Hess suggested creating paid summer and after-school internships with local businesses and forming a youth council to advise on community needs. He also proposed a "988 for violence" hotline and asked about engaging the ATF regarding illegal weapon modifications. Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley relayed community feedback that apprehension of perpetrators is viewed as the greatest deterrent to gun violence, while noting some residents feel law enforcement presence is negative in certain neighborhoods.

**Follow-Ups and Next Steps**
Several staff members and committee members agreed to specific follow-up actions. Interim Chief Stepp agreed to keep the committee apprised of strategies being explored to strengthen violence prevention and community partnerships. Deputy Chief Aardema stated he would speak with Captain Coward about potentially expanding the co-responder program to HACA properties not currently managed by the HACA team. Council Member Hess agreed to follow up with the CEO of Mercy Urgent Care, the Firefighters Association, and City Manager DK Wesley to explore partnerships for advanced firefighter cancer screenings. Deputy Chief Budzinski will provide options to the council and city administration to help move toward the full implementation of the 42-hour work week for firefighters.

**Impact on Residents**
These discussions and decisions directly impact public safety and community well-being in Asheville. The approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan ensures the city remains eligible for federal funding to prepare for future disasters, a critical step following the trauma of Hurricane Helene. The implementation of the fourth shift and expanded cancer screenings for firefighters aims to improve long-term health outcomes for first responders. Meanwhile, the ongoing review of gun violence strategies, including potential curfews and youth programs, reflects the city’s effort to address the disproportionate involvement of youth in gun violence and improve community safety.

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://youtube.com/live/Mpv-R3fuSeA?feature=share
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2048/segments

## Documents

- [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11334)
- [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11333)
- [staff.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11338)
- [agenda_2026-07-29.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11341)
- [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11331)
- [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11336)
- [minutes_2026-07-29.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=13660)
- [Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2848?document=11332)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/public-safety-committee-virtual-jul-30-2026/)