Asheville City Council Approves $1.14 Million Surveillance Center Amid Intense Public Backlash

Asheville -- May 14, 2026: Asheville City Council has approved a $1.1 million Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) for the Asheville Police Department, a decision met with significant public opposition centered on privacy and civil liberties. The facility, funded through federal Community Project Funding, represents a notable expansion of the city's surveillance capabilities, prompting concerns from many residents who feel their voices were not fully heard.During the council meeting where the me