County staff and commissioners raise safety concerns about 'Dad's Place' alley; board agrees to pursue reporting and camera access

County staff told the commissioners they have repeated safety concerns for employees entering and leaving the county building adjacent to a local homeless-service site referred to in the meeting as "Dad's Place." Staff described incidents that include employees being blocked in by people standing in the alley, verbal harassment, visible drug paraphernalia and used needles, and one worker reporting a threat that led to a felony charge for retaliation.

Kylie Towns, introduced by the chair as the board's new director, described "pretty significant safety concerns" for workers who use the rear door and alley that abuts the shelter. Grace Beck, a clerical specialist who works the front desk and said she is usually on site from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., described being blocked at her car and told the board she "sat there for a good 10 minutes" while people stood around her vehicle; she said she felt intimidated and that police patrols dispersed the group when officers turned the corner. Investigator Kerrigan Stark with Children's Services described repeated incidents of catcalling, men staring and an incident in which a woman told her someone "had a gun in Dad's Place and was shooting people," prompting her to call police.

County staff and commissioners discussed next steps. The auditor and IT staff confirmed cameras were installed last year but that front-desk staff did not have direct access to live camera feeds; IT said the department could provide access and add a monitor in the department so staff could observe the alley. Commissioners asked staff to call police and file formal police reports whenever incidents occur so there is a documented record for enforcement or potential eviction actions against building occupants who create a public-danger or nuisance; one commissioner said, "let's not be desensitized to what's happening. Every time that you have an issue, call ... and send the commissioners a text too." The board also discussed preparing a joint letter to the attorney general and publicizing concerns in local media to spur attention to the safety and operational issues around the shelter.

Why it matters: staff safety is a routine operational issue for county buildings. The accounts offered by front-desk staff and Children's Services investigators describe recurring events that staff say have created a hostile or unsafe environment when employees must walk through the alley to access the building. The board recommended more regular police patrols, improved camera access for staff and a written letter from county officials to the attorney general and local media to highlight the problem.

Next steps: commissioners asked staff to ensure police reports are filed for each incident, to work with IT to provide a live feed or monitor for the department, to consider whether county vehicles can remain with on-call employees overnight to reduce alley exposure, and to draft a letter to the attorney general that county agencies can sign.