New Asheville Police Department community initiatives continue to grow

Asheville -- City of Asheville Community News: January 21, 2021 Two recently-implemented community-centered initiatives

started by the Asheville Police Department (APD) have gained traction throughout the city.

The Dec. 1, 2020, launch of “TIP2APD” made it easier than ever for residents to make officers aware of issues impacting their neighborhoods.

TIP2APD, a mobile application and texting tool, allows the public to share anonymous tips with police officers and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation.

Since the rollout of the tool, more than 700 people have downloaded the app and provided helpful tips related to various incidents to include: abuse, violent crime, narcotics activity, assistance identifying armed robbery suspects and more.

If residents would like to remain anonymous while submitting non-emergency crime information, they can download the new TIP2APD phone app by searching “Asheville PD” in the app store (app available to both iPhone and Android users). Individuals can also submit an anonymous tip through a text message. To send a text, type in the phone number 847411 and in the message body, type tip2apd followed by the tip.

The TIP2APD tool is only for non-emergencies and is not a replacement for 9-1-1. In the event of an emergency please dial 9-1-1 immediately.

The recently-created APD Community Engagement Division (CED) has been working hard, despite being understaffed, to quickly and efficiently respond to neighborhood quality of life concerns.

The Community Engagement Division works alongside community partners to address more complex societal issues such as homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health issues. The division works with businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and communities to provide a non-traditional, problem solving approach to crime and related issues. Through this work, the division develops positive relationships which helps co-develop public safety in Asheville. 

In December, the Community Unit addressed 31 neighborhood/community issues. They also responded to 34 calls regarding homeless camps and attended several virtual community meetings. 

To contact officers with the community engagement division for non-emergency community issues, reach out to apdcommunityengagement@ashevillenc.gov. Call 911 for emergencies.

Photo: Community Resource Officer Colby Fox responds to emails sent to the APD Community Engagement Division email and checks the status of community requests in the department’s records management system.