LIVE @ Asheville Citizen's Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) Meeting 07/11/18, 5:00pm

Asheville CPAC Meeting Recap: Addressing Community Concerns and Police Updates (July 11, 2018)

The Asheville Citizen’s Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) held a meeting on July 11, 2018, focusing primarily on updates from the Asheville Police Department (APD) and City Council, with a strong emphasis on addressing community concerns regarding crime statistics and ongoing investigations. The meeting, attended by CPAC Chair Larry Hogan, South Representative Cliff Johnson, North Representative Harold Wargo-Holston, and APD Liaison Lieutenant Don Everhart, served as a platform for information sharing and citizen oversight. No formal votes were taken, and approval of the May/June minutes was deferred to a future meeting.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the ongoing investigation into the shooting of Lee Walker. Lieutenant Everhart provided an update, assuring attendees that detectives are actively pursuing leads and increased police presence has been implemented to reassure the community. While acknowledging concerns about the length of investigations, the committee discussed a potential policy revision from Chief Hooper and Interim City Manager. Related to this, CPAC members raised concerns about the timeframe for City Council’s policy revisions following Supreme Court resolutions and suggested formally requesting a timeline from the council through CPAC.

The accuracy of recently released crime statistics became another focal point, particularly after inaccurate data circulated on social media. Lieutenant Everhart explained that the initial release contained errors and has since been corrected, emphasizing that current statistics are based on police-generated reports. He underscored the importance of addressing misinformation and rebuilding trust within the community, committing to further follow-up to ensure accuracy. This highlighted a broader concern about transparency and communication between the APD and Asheville residents.

Beyond these immediate concerns, CPAC also explored a potential collaboration between the Fire Department and APD. The Fire Department is piloting a "community paramedic" program utilizing bicycles for quicker response times, separate from any discussions regarding APD staffing shortages. Finally, the committee inquired about the ongoing City Manager search, recognizing its potential impact on policing and community relations. While Council members are hesitant to comment on desired qualifications until candidate profiles are reviewed, CPAC will continue monitoring the search process.

What's Next? (Action Items)

Several key action items emerged from the meeting, directly impacting residents and their relationship with local law enforcement:

• APD will conduct further follow-up to ensure the accuracy of crime statistics and address community concerns. This includes clarifying how data is collected and presented to ensure transparency.
• APD will clarify the Fire Department's community paramedic program. This aims to dispel rumors and provide accurate information about this new initiative.
• Lieutenant Everhart will follow up with the City Manager regarding a timeframe for reviewing the Council's policy revision. This addresses concerns about timely responses to legal changes impacting policing.

Why Does This Matter?

The CPAC meeting provided a valuable opportunity for citizen oversight and dialogue regarding critical issues facing Asheville. The discussions surrounding crime statistics, the Lee Walker investigation, and the City Manager search directly impact public safety, community trust, and the overall effectiveness of local government. CPAC's role in monitoring these developments and advocating for transparency ensures that residents have a voice in shaping the future of policing and community relations within Asheville. The committee will continue to monitor these issues, encouraging open communication and accountability between the APD, City Council, and the citizens of Asheville.