MORGANTOWN — Downtown business owners Kim Nobile (Dirty Bird) and Stephanie Swaim (Hoot and Howl) said they’re frustrated with what they view as a lack of movement from the city and want the Monongalia County Commission to get involved in addressing issues in the city’s central business district.
“It’s my understanding that the sheriff’s department retains full responsibility within the county,” Nobile said. “That is why we, as business owners, are asking for your help in addressing the downtown issues.”
The frustrations are not new. They most recently came to the fore during Morgantown City Council’s Sept. 17 meeting, during which Swaim and other entrepreneurs said they’re facing an epidemic of homelessness, loitering, substance abuse and criminal and otherwise unwanted behavior downtown.
City Council held an informational meeting on Oct. 11, during which Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston laid out a host of reasons why the police are limited in what they’re able to do — loitering is not illegal and as long as it’s not aggressive, panhandling is not illegal. Further, Preston said, the police can’t simply show up and arrest someone for an action that isn’t witnessed by an officer.
Complicating matters is the fact that many of the people at the heart of this issue are downtown to visit any number of social services centered there.
Nobile said she and others have expressed their concerns to Preston and City Council, “to no avail” and are tired of being told little can be done.
“It was very frustrating to hear, for if any of us assembled here today behaved in this manner, we would be dealt with entirely differently,” she said, explaining that a business owner was “assaulted” in recent weeks while leaving her place of business with her small child.
“How many more red flags need to be raised to be able to get some positive results before we head to complete chaos,” Nobile said. “The downtown foot traffic is diminishing rapidly … Is this truly what the city of Morgantown is willing to accept?”
Swaim, who asked for an update on the issue during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, explained that she is a county resident who works downtown.
“You’re our neighbors,” she told the commission. “And hopefully, you’ll be able to help us with our downtown concerns.”
She asked for more communication and collaboration between city and county as well as additional help from the sheriff’s department “to help patrol your own back yard.”
The commission said it appreciates the business owners coming forward as well as their desire to stay downtown. It also said it is willing to help.
Commissioner Sean Sikora said he’s had some preliminary discussions with individuals spearheading efforts downtown. He also said there is investment needed — like the detox facility Preston has long advocated for — that will require the county’s participation.
“We’re actually just waiting to see where it goes. We do hear you. We’ve had complaints about things going on around the courthouse that we’ve personally witnessed,” Sikora said, noting that these issues seem to become a hot topic periodically, “Then those conversations just always seem to drop off when something else comes up.”
Commission President Tom Bloom said he agreed that the issues facing the downtown are complex and go beyond focusing on city or county turf. He said he hopes the county can be involved, “and not just for monetary basis, but for input.”
He said he also understands the frustrations expressed by the business owners.
“I understand the protection of the rights of individuals, but when they affect other individuals and when they affect the business owners and economic development downtown, we have to really reevaluate,” Bloom said, later adding “I know all three of us are concerned. A strong downtown makes for a strong city and county. We have to move forward and quit talking about it. Actions speak louder than words.”
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Manager Paul Brake said he plans to bring out a plan later this month that will look at how the city and other stakeholders can identify solutions and begin moving forward.
