Public Safety Committee  — Charleston, WV
Date: 2025-07-21
Time: 18:00

CITY OF CHARLESTON
  10
 West Virginia
 Council Member – 10th WARD


Shawn Taylor Public Safety Committee, Chair
501 Virginia St. E Finance Committee
Charleston, WV 25301 Parking Committee
Telephone: 304-414-6019
E-mail: shawn@shawntaylor.com




TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Shawn Taylor, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Public Safety on July 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
 City Hall, 501 Virginia St. E.
 AV Room #308

 AGENDA

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
 1. 10-21-2024

 PUBLIC SPEAKERS
 1. To hear from public speakers on public safety related topics. Register with a representative from
 the Clerk's Office no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the meeting at the stated meeting location.
 Time limits may be set by the Committee.

 TO HEAR FROM PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED DEPARTMENTS
 1. Charleston Police Department

 2. Charleston Fire Department

 DISCUSSION
 1. Neighborhood Watch Groups – Naomi Bays



ST/ns

*Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk

CITY OF CHARLESTON
  10
 West Virginia
 Council Member – 10th WARD


Shawn Taylor Public Safety Committee, Chair
501 Virginia St. E Finance Committee
Charleston, WV 25301 Parking Committee
Telephone: 304-414-6019
E-mail: shawn@shawntaylor.com




TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Shawn Taylor, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Public Safety on July 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
 City Hall, 501 Virginia St. E.
 AV Room #308

 AGENDA

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
 1. 10-21-2024

 PUBLIC SPEAKERS
 1. To hear from public speakers on public safety related topics. Register with a representative from
 the Clerk's Office no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the meeting at the stated meeting location.
 Time limits may be set by the Committee.

 TO HEAR FROM PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED DEPARTMENTS
 1. Charleston Police Department

 2. Charleston Fire Department

 DISCUSSION
 1. Neighborhood Watch Groups – Naomi Bays



ST/ns

*Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk




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 MINUTES
 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

 6:00 P. M., OCTOBER 21, 2024
 AV ROOM, CITY HALL


Shawn Taylor, Chair, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee on
Public Safety to order at 6:00 p.m., October 21, 2024.

Present:
Shawn Taylor, Chair
Chuck Overstreet, Vice Chair
Caitlin Cook (over Zoom)
Mary Beth Hoover
Beth Kerns
Bruce King


Absent:
Kathy Rubio



Other Councilmembers Present:
Frank Annie
Emmett Pepper
Joe Solomon




 1. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES –
Councilmember Kerns moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 7-15-
2024. Councilmember Hoover seconded the motion. There was no objection, and the
minutes were approved.


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 2. To hear from public speakers on public safety related topics.

None

 3. TO HEAR FROM PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED DEPARTMENTS -

 • Charleston Police Department

 • Charleston Fire Department

 • Parking Department


Deputy Police Chief Webb stated that they have been heavily recruiting, using methods
such as radio ads and social media. 19 people showed up for the last test, with 8
passing. They currently have 150 officers, with 173 is the goal. There is also a new
signing bonus for officers who are already certified in West Virginia. Councilmember
Kerns suggested reaching out to the military for recruitment and job sites. Webb replied
that they have. They also recruit at universities. They are also hoping to make a
recruiting video. Webb added that they also target other law enforcement careers, such
as prison guards, for recruitment. Councilmember Overstreet confirmed with Webb that
the process for already certified officers is a shorter as they do not need to go through
the academy. Councilmember Cook asked how long the psychological evaluations
remained valid. Webb replied that they are valid for 14-16 months.


Fire Chief Matthews stated that the department’s new ladder truck has finally arrived.
The new rescue truck will likely be ready in December. The completion date has again
been delayed. Chief Matthews that there have been 19 structure fires, which is slightly
higher than the 17 from 2023. Councilmember Taylor asked why there was a spike in
fires this time of year. Chief Matthews replied that that it was due to people seeking
warmth: unsafe furnaces, space heaters, candles, etc. He added that they are staffed at
167 with a goal of 169. They will be starting to accumulate a new recruitment pool as
there will likely be high retirement rates in 2025 and 2026. The Chief confirmed that the
department now has 100 ALS providers, which is the largest group in the state. The
new Medical Director has proven to be a good working partner and has begun to
implement changes in the EMS department. They have now been approved for field
blood transfusions. From the audience, Councilmember Pepper confirmed with the
Chief that 13 out of the 19 fires were from vacant structures.


Parking Director Terri Allen stated that their department have all received active shooter
and stop the bleed training. They are preparing for winter safety.

Mayor Goodwin added that all City staff also received the active shooter and stop the
bleed training.

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Councilmember Taylor thanked all of the Directors for their updates.


Councilmember Hoover motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Overstreet
seconded. Meeting adjourned.




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