The Asheville Police Department (APD) has lost 84 officers since January 1, 2020. As a result of the staffing crisis, several changes in officer response will go into effect immediately in order to improve response times for emergency calls made to 9-1-1.

In response to a large drop in staffing, officers with the Asheville Police Department will no longer respond to the following types of crimes:

• Theft under $1,000 where there is no suspect information (this does not include stolen vehicles or guns)
• Theft from a vehicle where there is no suspect information
• Minimal damage and/or graffiti to property where there is no suspect information
• Non-life-threatening harassing phone calls (does not include incidents that are related to domestic violence and/or stalking)
• Fraud, scams, or identity theft
• Simple assaults that are reported after they have occurred
• Reports that do not require immediate police actions and/or enforcement (information only reports)
• Funeral escorts
• Lost/found property
• Trespassing where the property owner does not want to press charges

In addition, noise complaints made during normal business hours and after-hours may have a significant delay in response, Hallingse said.