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Resident urges city to protect employees after reported follow, car damage; commissioners ask police to investigate
Summary
A West Palm Beach resident told the commission an ex-employee allegedly followed and damaged a city employee's vehicle; speakers said videos and a police investigation exist. Commissioners urged filing police reports and asked staff to examine security at parking garages.
A member of the public asked the West Palm Beach City Commission on Oct. 14 to address employee safety after alleging that an ex-city employee followed and threatened current employees and damaged a vehicle.
Danielle Underwood, who identified herself during public comment, said she and other employees have been followed and that an investigation is underway after a person she named allegedly slashed a vehicle in a parking garage. She said videos exist and that the matter has been reported in writing to city staff but that the affected employee had not been contacted by the city.
Why it matters: public employees and contractors told commissioners they feel vulnerable when leaving city facilities; speakers asked the city to ensure protection and follow up on restraining-order requests.
Responses from the dais: Commission President Brenda Lambert said she had called Ms. Underwood and expressed concern. Commissioner Fox said the incident was unacceptable and that the police department had been asked to investigate; she urged staff to explore options to increase security patrols in the municipal parking garage where the incident reportedly occurred. Commissioner Baduzzi (spelled in transcript variously) said if a crime had occurred a police report should be filed and that the city's police department would investigate credible threats.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners requested staff follow up with the resident and the police department and asked staff to consider security steps so the incident would not recur.
Clarifying details from the comment and discussion: - Complainant alleged multiple incidences of following and one incident of car damage; she named a former employee (identified in remarks as Robert Watkins) and said the person's wife is a city clerk in the mayor's office (as stated in the comment). Ms. Underwood said video evidence exists and an investigation is ongoing. - Commissioners urged filing police reports and directed staff to coordinate with the police department and consider additional parking-garage security or patrols.
Next steps: staff said they would follow up with the complainant and coordinate with the police department; commissioners asked staff to return with any relevant security recommendations or updates to employee-protection procedures.
