From Staff Reports 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Asheville Police Department in early April confirmed a new “Downtown Plan” designed to directly address rising complaints regarding open drug use, homelessness and property crime in the downtown corridor. 

The initiative follows intense pressure from business owners and residents, marking a shift toward more proactive, visible enforcement combined with support service coordination. 

For months, downtown stakeholders — including restaurant and hotel owners —have reported that open-air drug use, property damage, and safety concerns related to the homeless population were damaging the city’s image.

In late 2023, nearly 40 prominent business owners signed a letter to city and county officials calling for increased public safety, more police patrols, and action against what they termed “vagrants” on city streets.

Critics have described existing efforts as a “jumbled mess” that resulted in a “revolving door” at the jail, where repeat, non-violent offenders are immediately released back onto the streets.

Local sources indicate that a rise in fentanyl addiction has contributed to the visible increase in the homeless population, compounding the safety crisis. 

Under the plan, the APD is doubling daily downtown staffing to eight officers from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with additional increased overnight coverage.

The plan specifically targets individuals who account for a disproportionate number of calls for service.

The public will see more officers on bikes and on foot throughout the downtown area, the APD noted.

The initiative includes pairing police enforcement with mental health and substance use disorder services to address the root causes of the issues. 

Business owners and downtown employees have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that it will create a safer environment for the upcoming summer season.

Some, including those experiencing homelessness, expressed skepticism, suggesting that increased enforcement will not stop the underlying issues and that the focus should be on support services.

The plan coincided with updates to city ordinances regarding panhandling in high-traffic zones, aiming to curb disruptive behavior in the downtown area.