PUBLIC SAFETY

Brevard has noticeably changed since 2021.  We now have:

 

• A depleted police department that can’t cover patrol shifts

• No drug task force

• A growing homelessness problem

• An open door for illegal immigrants

• Open-air drinking

• CBD shops seemingly on every corner

 

The fundamental role of government is to protect its citizens. Without safety, we aren’t free to live our lives without fear. This is especially important at the local level, as most crime occurs locally. The current Brevard mayor and city council have other priorities. We need new leadership in Brevard that will prioritize public safety.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

Brevard Police Department (BPD)

The Brevard Police Department (BPD) is declining right before our eyes, along with public safety. This started in 2021 after Maureen Copelof was elected mayor and Thomas Jordan was appointed Chief of Police.

 

The BPD now has only eight officers out of the eighteen they need. As a result, patrols have decreased from four to two officers per shift, and there aren't enough officers to cover late-night shifts. Many former officers are now working for neighboring counties. The city has contracted the county sheriff's office to patrol the midnight shift, and they’ve agreed to respond to calls throughout the day. This skeleton staff puts both citizens and officers at risk as they sometimes respond to calls without the proper backup.

 

How did this happen?

 

There is strong evidence that the BPD work environment has become toxic. Two former female officers have accused the department of sexual harassment. Additionally, there is a federal lawsuit against the city by a former Sergeant and the Benevolence Association (PBA), alleging retaliatory firing by Chief Jordan and missing evidence. In 2023, a survey of BPD employees further highlighted concerns about a toxic workplace. It found that only 12 percent agreed that “there is open and honest two-way communication,” and only six percent felt “supported in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.” The city has attempted to address this by hiring a management consulting firm. Recently, they increased police salaries, citing it as a pay issue common to all law enforcement agencies.  Notably, the county sheriff’s office is fully staffed, as are all the surrounding counties, including Asheville.

 

The root of the problem lies in weak leadership from the BPD to the mayor. The police chief reports to the City Manager, Wilson Hooper, who then reports to the five-member City Council (Aaron Baker, Gary Daniel, Pamela Holder, Mac Morrow, and Lauren Wise), led by Mayor Maureen Copelof. None of these leaders has law enforcement experience. Electing former BPD Lt. Rick Harbin to the City Council could help address this issue. The city has already hired a consultant to assist in finding a new chief, but its hiring record has been poor.

 

The good news is that Chief Thomas Jordan has announced his retirement, effective October 2025. The bad news is that city management believes he did an excellent job. Mayor Copelof stated, “He exemplifies the concept of community policing, and his efforts to increase transparency and establish procedures based on proven practices have resulted in a highly effective police department. As mayor, I am grateful for Chief Jordan’s diligence in making Brevard a safe place for all of us to live.” City Manager Hooper said, “Tom has shepherded BPD into a new era of professionalism.”

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

Drugs

We all recognize there's a serious drug problem in Brevard. Marijuana, meth, and even Fentanyl are available on our streets. Look at what Asheville has become because of the widespread drug use there. Instead of tackling this problem directly, Mayor Copelof and the City Council have made it worse. The Brevard Police Department has disbanded its two-man drug task force. It’s well known that some homeless people are also drug addicts. Drug law enforcement has been sharply reduced, and the homelessness problem continues to grow. And the homeless are not the only drug users in the city. As the relaxed Brevard drug enforcement becomes more widely known, the rate of drug use will only worsen.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

Homelessness

We are facing a growing homelessness problem in Brevard. The city hasn't released official figures, but we see it on our streets every day, and the situation is getting worse. Like the shrinking police department, there appears to be a strong effort to withhold information to protect tourism.

 

Part of the problem is that the city of Brevard allows homeless individuals to camp near public greenways for up to two weeks and reports also mention camps in wooded areas around the city. In trying to help the homeless, they may unintentionally attract more people. Public concern exists that this policy is drawing homeless individuals from nearby counties. We don’t know the criminal backgrounds of these individuals.

 

There are reports, including photographs, of homeless people sleeping overnight outside City Hall and near Clemson Park. Downtown business owners say they sometimes have to ask them to leave their entrances. There are also reports of public sex acts by homeless individuals in Clemson Park during the day.

 

There appears to be no acknowledgment of the problem, let alone any discussion of a solution. Meanwhile, citizens are left to deal with it. It’s only a matter of time before tourists encounter the issue and start sharing it on social media.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

Illegal Immigrants (‘sanctuary’)

Mayor Maureen Copelof stated in 2025 that she welcomes illegal immigrants, and the city will not cooperate with ICE. City officials are not concerned about having unknown immigrants or homeless individuals living in the community.

 

As of July 2025, North Carolina law prohibits sanctuary cities and entities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration and customs enforcement officials.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council have made it clear they do not plan to follow Federal immigration laws. They have publicly stated: “It is not our policy to ask about immigration status” when dealing with law enforcement issues. In other words, the Brevard Police Department has been instructed not to help the Federal government in deporting illegal aliens who have committed crimes. Once again, the Mayor and City Council seem to prioritize their social justice goals over public safety.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

Social District (open drinking)

The Brevard City Council approved the creation of an open-drinking zone in a downtown ‘social district’. This could lead to increased crime and safety concerns for residents. Families from both the city and county are becoming more hesitant to visit downtown for outings. This initiative emphasizes boosting tourism instead of supporting our residents.

 

How does allowing open drinking in downtown Brevard improve public safety? Does anyone think there are fewer drunk drivers on the streets when we promote alcohol consumption?

 

If the Mayor and City Council’s goal is to make Brevard resemble Asheville, their “open drinking” ordinance is the right move. However, if they truly prioritized public safety, they would never have approved such a harmful ordinance.

 

Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

 

CBD Shops

Have you noticed the increasing number of new CBD and Vape shops opening in and around Brevard? They seem to be Brevard’s “growth industry." It’s another example of the “Ashevillization” of Brevard. We all know about the harmful effects these stores have on our young adults. The Transylvania County School Board approved a statement last month urging our local officials to address this growing problem. Any Mayor and City Council committed to public safety would do everything possible to prevent these types of businesses from opening in their community. But in Brevard, Mayor Copelof and the City Council sit back and watch more of these harmful businesses open in Brevard.

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Mayor Copelof and the City Council continue to ignore the problem!

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