Asheville -- May 14, 2026: Asheville City Council has approved a $1.1 million Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) for the Asheville Police Department, a decision met with significant public opposition centered on privacy and civil liberties. The facility, funded through federal Community Project Funding, represents a notable expansion of the city's surveillance capabilities, prompting concerns from many residents who feel their voices were not fully heard.
During the council meeting where the measure was approved, public comment stretched to approximately one hour. More than 20 speakers were left unheard when the comment period concluded, indicating substantial community interest in opposing or questioning the proposal. Many residents had waited through the meeting to voice their concerns regarding the new intelligence center.
Community members and City Council Member Kim Roney raised several specific objections. Roney criticized the proposal as representing "a significant expansion of surveillance technology" and questioned its "long-term policy and budget implications" beyond the initial federal funding. Concerns were also voiced about whether the RTIC would duplicate capabilities already in place through a similar county-operated surveillance center.
While officials and supporters framed the RTIC as a public safety enhancement, promising faster response times and improved coordination for officers, critics focused on the potential for expanded surveillance and its privacy implications. Residents questioned the impact of centralized, real-time intelligence gathering on civil liberties and raised concerns about unclear oversight of the system.
The approval of the RTIC occurs amid broader public safety discussions in Asheville, which has seen increased police presence downtown and partnerships to enhance safety in public housing neighborhoods. The federal funding mechanism for the RTIC, which requires no local funding match, means the city faces no local budget burden for its initial implementation.
Despite the substantial public backlash and the number of residents unable to voice their concerns, the council moved forward with the approval. Civil liberties concerns about surveillance expansion, system oversight, and potential duplication of existing county capabilities remain largely unaddressed in available public statements, leaving some community members feeling unheard in the decision-making process.