Morgantown Mayor Bill Kawecki said members of Morgantown City Council have been “barraged” with well over 100 pieces of correspondence asking members to look at how it funds the city’s police department.
While he notes the letters are largely signed form letters that have been circulating nationally, he said the topic has also been raised during multiple meetings he’s attended in recent days.
“I don’t think there are any specific complaints about the Morgantown Police. I really do think we are fortunate in that we have a police force where many of the reforms that I’m hearing about have already been implemented or are being looked at,” Kawecki said.
Asked if he foresaw council taking up a discussion of policing and budget reforms, Kawecki said. “I think it’s certainly something of a concern for us.”
“There are societal issues that have long been away from the forefront that many people recognized but never gave the attention they deserved,” Kawecki said, later adding “I’m hoping that we can, in the future, the near future, the very, very near future, turn around and devote some attention to what are really appropriate solutions that will serve the community.”
Meanwhile Morgantown’s Deputy Chief of Police Eric Powell said the MPD is in a no-win situation when it comes to the numerous protests that have ended up blocking off city streets.
“These are unique circumstances. I mean, from an administrative perspective, there are people talking about defunding the police — specifically here,” Powell said. “It’s almost like there’s not anything the police can do to make all parties satisfied and it’s a frustrating situation.”
Powell said he appreciates the peaceful nature of the Black Lives Matter protests that have been held in Morgantown and pledged the MPD will continue to allow demonstrations — both planned and impromptu — to be in the street as long as they remain that way.
“If things are peaceful and non-violent, and as long as there’s no property damage or problems, we’re going to continue the way we’re operating,” Powell said, explaining that his concern is more about the actions of frustrated drivers — particularly during demonstrations like the one held Thursday in which the police received little notice and were unable to prepare.
During that protest, a driver sped through the crowd on High Street nearly striking a protester standing in the street. Later, motorcyclists drove through the crowd then came back around to confront some of the protesters.
“I’m happy things have been peaceful and there haven’t been any problems, but I think if it continues, there are going to be problems — not from our end, but just from frustrated people,” he said.
“Some of the organizers have been responsible enough to come to us a couple days in advance. We relay our concerns … and we come to an agreement about how things are going to go. But you also have individuals organizing things through social media and not notifying us. We find out at the last minute and have no chance to prepare.”
Powell noted the unique circumstances surrounding the national response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police. He said there’s nothing to be gained from forcing protesters out of the street.
He said he understands people get frustrated when they can’t drive downtown. But he also noted causing some level of discomfort is part of civil disobedience.
“I understand that, but at the same time I have to be concerned with safety and how we handle things,” Powell said.
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Morgantown Area News
'Friday, April 26, 2024'
