These problems may not be directly related to law enforcement, but as members of the community it is our duty to solve problems that affect the community. Some of these problems are drug sales within a certain area of a local community, abandoned houses acting as a gathering place for vagrants, drug users, prostitutes, etc., vacant lots littered with items that could constitute danger to children, and any other problem that members of the community feel is important enough to work together to solve. Us These officers' primary responsibility is to work with the residents of the housing developments and the Asheville Housing Authority to ensure that these developments provide a living environment that is comparable to other residential areas within the city. Officers endeavor to rid the housing developments of crimes that have been typical to developments for long periods of time. They attempt to serve as role models for young children who are, so often, without positive role models.
Officers attempt to organize residents to work together as a small, closely knit community.
The Mounted Patrol consists of 2 officers and 2 horses. They are used at events that include large crowds because of their ability to see over the crowd at any impending danger areas. The mounted unit gives directions to tourists, issues parking tickets, and will give programs to churches, civic organizations and schools. In an effort to bring Asheville Police Officers closer to the community, bicycle patrols are deployed in the downtown area. Police on bicycles are more easily approachable than if they were in a patrol car, and in a crowd or at a festival, bicycles can bring an officer to a location much more quickly and in a less obtrusive way than a patrol car would.