Business owners seek safety solutions after police used pepperballs to clear bar crowd

May 19, 2026 - 19:34

Downtown Asheville business owners are voicing frustration and demanding a more proactive approach to public safety after police resorted to firing pepperballs to break up a large crowd outside a bar. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has sparked a heated debate about the balance between maintaining order and using non-lethal force on crowded streets.

Several shop and restaurant owners say the situation highlights a deeper problem: a lack of visible police patrols during peak hours. They argue that by the time officers arrived, the crowd had already grown unruly, leaving police with few options other than dispersing the group with pepperball rounds. "We need a presence that prevents these situations from escalating in the first place," one local bar owner said. "Waiting until it is out of control is dangerous for everyone."

The use of pepperballs, which fire chemical irritant projectiles, has drawn criticism from some patrons who claim the response was excessive. However, business owners are less focused on the specific tactics and more on long-term solutions. They are calling for increased foot patrols, better communication between the police department and the hospitality industry, and designated safety zones where security can intervene before a crowd becomes volatile.

City officials have acknowledged the concerns and say they are reviewing crowd management protocols. For now, the incident has left a lingering sense of unease among those who rely on a safe nightlife to keep their doors open. As one restaurant manager put it, "We cannot afford to lose another weekend to fear. We need real solutions, not just reaction."