Asheville, North Carolina has seen a massive spike in violent crime - double the national average - and now ranks among the highest in the state.

From FOX News:

Asheville, a city of approximately 90,000 people nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina, has seen a 31% surge in violent crime per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020, according to statistics released in the spring. Asheville's growth in violent crime is nearly double that of the national average and ranks among the highest in North Carolina, where violent crime has increased 13% statewide.

Asheville has so far seen 11 homicides in 2022, setting it on pace to surpass the homicide rate of 2021 and 2020. Rates of homelessness have increased 21% since 2021, according to data released in May. There is also evidence of increased Mexican drug cartel activity in the area, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News Digital.

At the same time, the local police department is losing officers at an unprecedented rate.

Asheville, North Carolina has seen a massive spike in violent crime - double the national average - and now ranks among the highest in the state.
From FOX News:
<blockquote>
Asheville, a city of approximately 90,000 people nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina, has seen a <a href="https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2022/03/23/asheville-violent-crime-twice-us-average-gun-violence-decrease-police/7130170001/">31% surge in violent crime</a> per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020, according to statistics released in the spring. Asheville's growth in violent crime is nearly double that of the national average and ranks among the highest in North Carolina, where violent crime has increased 13% statewide.
Asheville has so far <a href="https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2022/07/26/asheville-homicides-numbers-so-far-2022/10146656002/">seen 11 homicides</a> in 2022, setting it on pace to surpass the homicide rate of 2021 and 2020. <a href="https://wlos.com/news/local/data-20-percent-homelessness-increase-asheville-city-contracts-homeless-services-consultant-national-alliance-to-end-homelessness">Rates of homelessness</a> have increased 21% since 2021, according to data released in May. There is also evidence of increased Mexican drug cartel activity in the area, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News Digital.
</blockquote>
At the same time, the local police department is losing officers at an unprecedented rate.

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