Public Safety Committee (Virtual) (Jan 29, 2026)

Public Safety Committee Meeting Recap: January 29, 2026

The City of Asheville’s Public Safety Committee held a virtual meeting on January 29, 2026, to review departmental updates and discuss proposed changes to local ordinances. The session focused on three primary agenda items: a quarterly update from the Asheville Fire Department regarding its Resource and Engagement Support Team (REST), an annual and quarterly crime statistics update from the Asheville Police Department (APD), and a proposed update to the Abandoned Building Ordinance.

Key Decisions The committee’s only formal vote was to approve the minutes from the November 20, 2025, meeting. Antanette Mosley made the motion, which was seconded by Sheneika Smith and passed unanimously (2-0). No formal votes were taken on the other agenda items. Regarding the Abandoned Building Ordinance, the committee did not approve the proposed changes but directed staff to continue working on the revision.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the AFD REST Team update. Presenters from the Fire Department detailed the team’s operations, which include proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly during recent winter weather events. The team reported handling 1,508 events in 2025, with 907 specific homeless response interventions, noting that this work helps reduce strain on first responders. They also highlighted a 33% decrease in business and neighborhood support events over the year.

Chief Jackie Stepp presented the APD’s end-of-year crime statistics, noting a 24% reduction in citywide violent crime in 2025 compared to 2024, including a 54% decrease in homicides. However, property crime increased by 10% annually, with a notable 59% increase in the West District during the fourth quarter. Traffic collisions also rose, with 8,588 motor vehicle accidents recorded in 2025, a 4% increase from the previous year.

Mark Matheny, Director of Development Services, and Chris O’Brien presented the proposed Abandoned Building Ordinance update. The proposal aims to provide the city with tools to address non-residential properties that pose nuisances but may not meet traditional building code violation criteria. The presentation outlined a current inventory of 16 residential and 14 commercial buildings, excluding those affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Financial considerations included a proposed city investment of approximately $150,000 for two additional staff positions and a rough estimate of $2.3 million for demolitions. The City Attorney clarified the legal framework for lien recovery, while Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley expressed a desire to further understand the financial implications of the program.

Follow-ups Staff agreed to continue developing the revision of the Abandoned Building Ordinance. The committee indicated a desire to revisit the proposal at a future meeting. Additionally, the committee noted it would consider prioritizing sidewalk construction on Springside Road within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and would follow up on the status of traffic calming measures already initiated for that area.

Impact on Residents This meeting highlighted the city’s ongoing efforts to balance public safety with resource allocation. The REST team’s data suggests that proactive engagement with the unhoused population is effectively reducing the burden on emergency services. The crime statistics provide a snapshot of public safety trends, showing progress in reducing violent crime but highlighting challenges with property crime and traffic collisions. The discussion on the Abandoned Building Ordinance signals a potential new approach to addressing neglected properties, which could affect neighborhood maintenance and property values, though the final implementation and costs remain under review.