The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Community Oriented Problem Solving (COPS) Team returned to Swannanoa in March, due in part to a recent uptick in break-ins and other crimes in our area. The COPS team met with residents and business owners, and spent 30 days focusing on community concerns.

At a follow-up meeting with residents at the Bee Tree Fire Station, Sheriff Van Duncan reported that the COPS Team presence in Swannanoa resulted in serving 13 of 25 outstanding warrants, and initiating 10 new warrants. A suspect was also identified in the Athens Pizza break-in. Overall, crime in Swannanoa sharply decreased while the COPS Team was working in the community.