ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Crime in Asheville has dropped over the past two years, but many say perception still lags behind reality.
Asheville Police Department data shows that overall arrests are down about 4% since 2020, and violent crime has fallen 28% since its 2022 peak. Yet quality of life reports, including trespassing, disorderly conduct, and drug-related calls, are climbing.
“We’ve still had shootings that happen,” said Asheville police Chief Michael Lamb. “Sometimes you have quality-of-life issues where someone may be in mental crisis. They may not be breaking the law, but they can create an environment where people feel unsafe.”…