UNC Asheville Police Seek Jurisdiction Over Student Apartments After Break-Ins

The UNC Asheville Police Department is seeking to share jurisdiction with the Asheville Police Department over the Verge Apartments, a student-occupied complex near the university campus. This request comes in the wake of two break-ins at the apartments in October 2024, allegedly committed by a man who had previously been prohibited from the property.

According to UNCA Police Chief Eric Boyce, the university police want the ability to respond to incidents at the adjacent apartments without jurisdictional issues. "We don't want our officers to respond to incidents in the adjacent property without having jurisdiction," Boyce stated at a recent Asheville City Council Environment and Safety Committee meeting.

The committee unanimously passed a motion to bring the shared jurisdiction proposal to the full city council for consideration. If approved, it would grant UNCA police the authority to patrol and respond to calls at the Verge Apartments alongside the Asheville Police Department.

Why this matters: The safety and security of college students living in off-campus housing is a growing concern for many universities. Establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries and fostering collaboration between campus and city police can help improve response times and overall safety in these areas.

Meanwhile, the Asheville Police Department reported some positive crime trends, with violent crime decreasing by 9% and property crime dropping by 6% compared to the previous year. Police attribute these improvements to data-driven, proactive policing strategies and increased community engagement efforts. However, the department acknowledged that it still faces challenges with staffing, as over 25% of its sworn officer positions remain vacant.

The man charged in connection with the October break-ins at the Verge Apartments had been previously prohibited from the property, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures and coordination between law enforcement agencies. "This is about the safety of our students," Chief Boyce emphasized. "We want to ensure we can respond quickly and effectively to any incidents that may occur in the areas where they live, whether on or off campus."

Key Takeaways

• UNCA police seek shared jurisdiction with Asheville PD over Verge Apartments
• Proposal aims to improve response times and safety for off-campus student housing
• Asheville PD reports 9% decrease in violent crime, 6% drop in property crime
• Staffing challenges persist, with over 25% of sworn officer positions vacant
• Shared jurisdiction sought after break-ins by man previously prohibited from property