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Resident alleges pattern of misconduct in West Palm Beach code enforcement; commission hears claims
Summary
A resident told the commission she had reviewed a Palm Beach Post report and alleged multiple instances of misconduct and inconsistent discipline within the city's code enforcement department. Commissioners acknowledged the complaint and asked staff for updates but no formal action was taken.
Danielle Underwood told the City Commission Monday she was “here yet again” to raise concerns about ongoing problems in the code enforcement department, citing a Palm Beach Post report dated June 2 that she said detailed personnel actions and misconduct.
Underwood alleged that 1 code officer resigned after filing false discriminatory complaints; another officer was fired for spending extended time parked at home during shift hours; another was fired for unprofessional behavior toward a supervisor; and a fourth was suspended for extended lunch breaks. She said the incidents reflected inconsistent discipline and alleged retaliation. Underwood also alleged that one officer, Donald Williams, was investigated and found to have “sustained violations of stealing 124.65 hours, which was 87.93% of the time from August to January,” and that Williams remained employed while others were terminated for lesser offenses.
Underwood urged the commission to consider whether supervisors who trained staff in those practices should face discipline and asked whether suspensions should be reimbursed where officers were disciplined for actions they were allegedly trained to perform.
Commissioners thanked Underwood for speaking. No formal investigation update, disciplinary action or staff direction was reported in the meeting record beyond acknowledgement and a general invitation by commissioners to provide further information to staff. The commission did not vote or take formal action during the meeting on the allegations presented.
The assertions in Underwood’s remarks were presented as allegations and she cited a newspaper report; the commission did not make findings during the hearing. Any formal inquiry or personnel action would be handled under city investigatory and personnel procedures and is not reflected in this meeting record.
