ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — News 13 has obtained police data showing an uptick in trespassing, public intoxication and other crimes in downtown Asheville year over year.
According to Asheville Police Department data, calls for trespassing downtown rose to 628 in 2025, up by more than 150 from 474 calls in 2024. Calls for public intoxication also increased, with 47 reported this year compared to 39 last year.
“I feel like the numbers have ticked up,” Rebecca Hecht said on crimes in downtown Asheville. She has owned Shining Rock Goods, a leather goods store, with her husband for 15 years. She’s writing a detailed letter to leaders in western North Carolina to outline her concerns…