WLOS: Asheville has seen record 29 arsons already this year

6 Comments

1. 

   Ash February 10, 2009

   It appears that the number of arsons that WLOS reported on Sunday night was inaccurate. I didn’t see a correction, but in a follow-up report on Monday night, WLOSers reported 30 fires so far this year, with half of them being reported as arson.

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2. 

   Melissa February 10, 2009

   Jeff,
   I apologize if it came off that way. I do want people to know that we are and have been making this information available. There is no reason to cover any crime up and no one is doing that.

   I think people who are cynical, as the Neighbor seems to be, would find that our officers are incredibly responsive and hardworking. If Neighbor didn’t know this information he/she does now…and that’s a good thing.

   I don’t quite understand the Florida comment, but thanks for the genral input.

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3. 

   Jeff February 10, 2009

   Melissa, as a P.R. person for the department, you are not a nice person. Even thru your written word, you always seem angry. WHY is that? What if "Neighbor" didn’t know about your online info? There’s no need to act this way. The way you come across does not help the public perception of law enforcement. I don’t pay your salary to be treated like a tourist from Florida.

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4. 

   Murphy February 9, 2009

   Jason, if the number 29 is accurate that means that Buncombe County has had more cases of arson than Coatesville, PA and those cases have the attention of the ATF and FBI …. I’m with you, why is no one reporting on this!!!

   There was a bit on it back in the fall when those dumpsters were set ablaze … the story deserves some attention by the local media!

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5. 

   Melissa February 9, 2009

   From the APD’s side:

   Information about crimes in Asheville is listed and updated daily at:
   http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/crimemapper/. It covers incidents that occurred in the last year and one day.

   The data and information this application provides is to be used as a guide for Crime reported to the Asheville Police Department (APD) and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). It covers:

   Homicide: The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another.
   Rape: The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.
   Robbery: The taking or attempting to take anything of value by force or threat.
   Aggravated Assault: The unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe bodily harm.
   Burglary: The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.
   Larceny: The unlawful taking or stealing of property without the use of force, violence, or fraud.
   Motor Vehicle Theft: The unlawful taking or stealing of a motor vehicle, including attempts.
   Vandalism: The malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement or defacement of real or personal property.
   Drugs: State and/or local offenses relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, manufacturing, and making of narcotic drugs including opium or cocaine and their derivatives, marijuana, synthetic narcotics, and dangerous nonnarcotic drugs such as barbiturates.

   The APD has a Police Blotter which also lists crimes, arrests and awards of note at
   http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/police/default.aspx?id=10428.

   Please tell me where the cover up is, and I’ll work on uncovering it for you…

   Thanks.

   P.S. Police don’t investigate fires, so arson is not included.

   Reply
6. 

   Neighbor February 9, 2009

   Why does the city always cover up crimes like Rape, Burguarly, Assault, and Arson. Is the tourist industry worth the life of a human being.

   Reply