The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Swannanoa Fire Department (SFD), has opened a new Swannanoa substation to enhance law enforcement and community interaction. The substation office space is housed at the main Swannanoa Fire Station, 103 South Avenue. The Sheriff’s Office and SFD have a long history of cooperation and coordinated service to the citizens of Swannanoa. The official merger of services into one facility will continue to grow the important relationship between law enforcement, the Fire Department, and Swannanoa residents.

The new satellite location is not permanently staffed with an officer, but it serves as a hub of activity for deputies working in the eastern part of the county. Before the satellite office opened, deputies often had to drive to Court Plaza in Asheville, or to offices on Leicester Highway to conduct police business and complete paperwork. Many of those tasks can now be performed locally, saving fuel and mileage. Additionally, the reduced travel time means that officers have more time to do their most important work — serving the community and its residents.

The cooperative venture between the Sheriff’s Office and SFD is a first for the county. “We look at this as being a future model to help expedite and meet the needs of the community — calls for service, meeting with citizens, meeting with complainants,” said Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan. The idea for the new office was raised with Sheriff Duncan at a Swannanoa community meeting held at the Bee Tree Fire Station a couple of years ago.

Swannanoa residents should still call 911 for emergencies or 828-255-5555 for non-emergencies before coming to the satellite office for law enforcement needs.

A dalmation statue keeps watch over the main Swannanoa Fire Station at 103 South Avenue. The Fire Station houses a new Sheriff’s Department satellite office.