Asheville Sees Crime Numbers Go Down
Asheville is experiencing a notable decline in violent crimes this year, with a 28% drop compared to last year. This marks the lowest number of violent crimes in five years, primarily driven by a reduction in aggravated assaults.
Violent Crime Trends
- 2022: 642 violent crimes reported by early November.
- 2023: 530 violent crimes.
- 2024: 519 violent crimes.
- 2025 (so far): 371 violent crimes.
Homicide Statistics
- 2022: 12 homicides.
- 2023: 9 homicides.
- 2024: 13 homicides.
- 2025 (so far): 5 homicides.
Crime Reduction by District
The decrease in violent crime is observed across all three police districts. However, certain areas like East Asheville near the VA Medical Center and the north end of downtown have seen a slight increase in crime.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Police Chief Mike Lamb attributes the drop in crime to four key factors:
- Proactive Policing
- Gun Crime Investigations
- Collaboration with Other Agencies
- Community Engagement
Officers have spent 1,800 more hours on self-initiated calls for service compared to last year. These include:
- Crime prevention
- Traffic stops
- Business checks
- Suspicious person investigations
- Foot patrols
Chief Lamb emphasizes that increased police presence leads to more community engagement, which in turn reduces violent crime. The most proactive efforts are focused on areas with the highest crime rates, including Downtown, North Asheville, and West Asheville.
Property Crime Trends
While violent crime has decreased, property crime has slightly increased, primarily due to:
- Unsecured motor vehicle burglaries
- Larcenies
The most significant jump in property crime occurred in South Asheville near Airport Road, with a 151% increase in the third quarter alone.
