Public commenter alleges harassment tied to activism; council points to nondiscrimination ordinance and police procedures

At the Nov. 4 meeting a resident, Ryan Perry of Evansville, said he and family members experienced harassment and accused individuals "affiliated" with Casper Pride of name-calling, doxxing and vandalism; he said one family member had been assaulted. Perry urged the council to recognize that "these are not the actions of tolerant people" and asked for equal treatment in community responses.

Councilors asked clarifying questions and repeatedly advised that alleged criminal acts should be reported to law enforcement. Councilor Gamroth asked whether the speaker was familiar with the language of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance; she and others said that if a resident can satisfy the ordinance’s criteria, it can be used to seek remedy. "If you believe somebody has discriminated against you... and you can meet the criteria of that ordinance, I would definitely encourage you to... cite that ordinance," Gamroth said during council response time.

Members of the council stressed the value of civil discourse and of treating individuals with dignity regardless of differing beliefs. Mayor Ray Pacheco and other councilors said the city would treat allegations seriously and that police procedures — including police investigations into reported vandalism or assaults — are the appropriate route for fact-finding and potential enforcement.

The council did not take any legal or legislative action during the meeting on these allegations. Several councilors urged residents to file police reports if criminal acts occurred and reminded speakers that public comment is not a substitute for law enforcement investigations.

The meeting record shows the city encouraged use of existing processes — the police department for criminal matters and the nondiscrimination ordinance for civil complaints meeting its criteria — rather than adopting new local policy in response to the testimony.