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APD reports multi-year drops in violent crime; council honors Chief Mike Lamb at his final committee meeting
Summary
APD told the Public Safety Committee violent crime is at a five‑year low and cited increased officer proactivity; the committee also recognized Chief Mike Lamb’s 28 years with APD and his leadership during recent storms and recovery efforts.
The Asheville Police Department reported on Nov. 20 that year‑to‑date violent crime is at a five‑year low and that officer-initiated activity has increased, while property crimes have ticked up slightly.
Chief Mike Lamb told the Public Safety Committee that quarterly violent crime declined about 8% compared with last year and that a five‑year comparison shows a roughly 28% decline, which he attributed to proactive policing, gun‑crime investigations, interagency collaboration and community engagement. He said officers recorded more than 1,800 additional hours of self‑initiated calls for service year‑to‑date, and that time spent on crime prevention has increased.
Deputy Chief Sean Ardema provided district-level detail: some areas such as West Asheville (Adam District) saw declines in violent crime but increases in property crime along commercial corridors; downtown (Charlie District) recorded increases in property crime in the latest quarter. Ardema also outlined expanded traffic‑safety enforcement work and a reconstituted traffic safety unit expected to be fully operational by January.
Council members asked about homicide clearance rates and victim services. Deputy Chief Ardema said there were 13 homicides in 2024 (two remain open) and that so far in 2025 there have been four homicides with three resolved; he emphasized anonymous reporting options (TIP411) and additional investigative avenues beyond eyewitness testimony.
The committee also paid tribute to Chief Lamb on what Chair Beau Hess called “his final public safety committee meeting,” thanking Lamb for 28 years at APD, leadership during Tropical Storm Helene, and efforts to emphasize officer wellness.
