Morgantown extends Safe Streets Initiative. What is it?

Yahoo

25-11-2024

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The City of Morgantown has decided to extend its police department's Safe Streets Initiative until the end of the year.
The Morgantown Police Department first launched the 12-week program in August of this year with a goal of connecting citizens to the help they need by increasing patrols in the downtown area, especially near trail and school access points. In that 12 weeks, officers made 42 arrests and issued 58 criminal citations, according to a press release from the city.
The city announced Monday that the initiative will continue at least until the end of the year with the hope that it will help increase downtown holiday season shopping, especially on days like Small Business Saturday, which is on Nov. 30.
Charlie McEwuen, who has owned Tanner's Alley Leather in downtown Morgantown for 48 years, said in the release that he hopes to see more done to keep the downtown streets safe, like steady police presence, improved lighting, and better overall cleanliness.
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'I think it's a great start,' McEwuen said in the release. 'Seeing officers patrol the downtown area has certainly helped, but we need more. We need to be at a level where we see officers daily. The perception of safety is the biggest thing.'
According to Deputy Chief Chris Ruehmer, the initiative does not prevent law enforcement from performing duties in other areas but helps emphasize connecting people to human resources.
City Manager Kim Haws said in the release that, 'It's extremely common to see one of our officers speaking with someone who needs a bus pass, access to shelter, or a hot meal.'
The program will continue until the end of the year. However, another ordinance aimed and promoting public safety, the 'Camping on Public Property' ordinance which prohibits camping on city owned land or streets, was suspended last week after an amended petition to repeal it was submitted. It is now pending a vote by the public in April.
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