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Morgantown readies implementation plan for sleeping ban; Valley Mental Health contracted for alternative services
Summary
City staff outlined implementation steps for the council’s sleeping/camping ordinance, including police administrative policy, coordination with peer groups and a contract with Valley Mental Health for alternative sentencing and referrals; the city plans to hire two full-time caseworkers to support social-services coordination.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — City staff on Tuesday briefed Morgantown City Council on plans to implement the council’s recently adopted ordinance restricting sleeping/camping on certain public property.
Assistant City Manager (presentation) said city departments, the police special services unit and executive staff have developed administrative procedures to guide officers’ interactions at sites where camping occurs. The steps include outreach and offers of assistance, assessment of needs, and referral pathways to housing, mental-health and substance-use services where appropriate.
The city has contracted with Valley Mental Health (Office on Scott Avenue) to provide services tied to alternative sentencing and to help connect individuals cited under the ordinance with treatment and resources. Assistant City Manager also said staff will add two full-time caseworkers to work alongside the city’s social worker to help coordinate housing placements, treatment referrals and other supports.
Assistant City Manager said the city has been working with the West Virginia peers group and other local partners during planning and will continue coordination as the ordinance is implemented. Details on exact staffing start dates, reporting requirements or referral protocols were not specified at the meeting.
Councilors thanked staff for planning and described the approach as focused on offering services and treatment in addition to enforcement steps.
