Asheville women say repeated encounters changed how they move around city
Asheville women say repeated encounters with Bruce Haddock have changed where they walk, run and shop, especially near Montford and the Reed Creek Greenway.
Women in Asheville say repeated encounters with Bruce Haddock have changed how they move through the city, with some avoiding stretches near Montford, downtown and the Reed Creek Greenway. The complaints have followed him for years, even after police action and a court case that ended in a not-guilty finding in at least one stalking matter.
The Reed Creek Greenway begins at the Botanical Gardens on W.T. Weaver Boulevard and runs parallel to Broadway Avenue toward downtown and the Montford neighborhood. The City of Asheville manages about 9 miles of greenway, paths meant to be low-stress and separated from motor vehicle traffic.
In 2022, Haddock was arrested on a misdemeanor stalking charge in Asheville. The case involved a July 22, 2022 stalking charge on Broadway Street. In September 2022, Haddock was identified as the man described in women’s posts on Nextdoor, and Montford residents said he had stalked them while they were alone.
Women who spoke with News 13 said they felt followed or unsafe in and around Montford, downtown Asheville and nearby greenways, and some said they changed ordinary routines such as walking, running and shopping because of it.
In 2023, a judge found Haddock not guilty in at least one stalking case.
Asheville police accept non-emergency incidents through an online portal if they are not in progress, happened within Asheville city limits and do not involve an offender known to the reporting party or on the scene. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse can also turn to the Buncombe County Family Justice Center for resources. Todd Williams serves as district attorney for Buncombe County’s Prosecutorial District 40, which covers the county, and his office maintains a community access portal for court and victim-rights information.
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