Public Safety Committee  — Charleston, WV
Date: 2022-04-14
Time: 17:00

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


Keeley Steele Public Safety Committee, Chair
1600 Washington St. E Ordinance and Rules Committee
Charleston, WV 25311
Telephone: 304-250-9463
E-mail: keeleysteele@gmail.com




TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Keeley Steele, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Public Safety on April 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM
 THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD AND CAN BE VIEWED VIA ZOOM

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452730140?pwd=bTdSWm8vRE0rSlpURWs5REkxZE1tdz09
Passcode: 815441
*Join via Phone: 301-715-8592 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 895 8249 7595

The agenda will be as follows:

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
 1. 5-28-2021

 RESOLUTIONS
 1. Resolution No. 660-22 - That City Council does hereby endorse the proposed special levy to be
 voted on May 10, 2022, and urges all eligible voters to vote for the levy to provide for the
 continued operation and expansion of the emergency ambulance system, the continued
 operation and improvement of the mass transportation system, and supplemental funding for
 public law enforcement and public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County.

 ADJOURN



KS/ns

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


Keeley Steele Public Safety Committee, Chair
1600 Washington St. E Ordinance and Rules Committee
Charleston, WV 25311
Telephone: 304-250-9463
E-mail: keeleysteele@gmail.com




TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Keeley Steele, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Public Safety on April 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM
 THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD AND CAN BE VIEWED VIA ZOOM

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452730140?pwd=bTdSWm8vRE0rSlpURWs5REkxZE1tdz09
Passcode: 815441
*Join via Phone: 301-715-8592 or 312-626-6799
Webinar ID: 895 8249 7595

The agenda will be as follows:

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
 1. 5-28-2021

 RESOLUTIONS
 1. Resolution No. 660-22 - That City Council does hereby endorse the proposed special levy to be
 voted on May 10, 2022, and urges all eligible voters to vote for the levy to provide for the
 continued operation and expansion of the emergency ambulance system, the continued
 operation and improvement of the mass transportation system, and supplemental funding for
 public law enforcement and public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County.

 ADJOURN



KS/ns




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 MINUTES
 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

 5:30 P. M., MAY 28, 2021


Keeley Steele, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Public Safety to order at 5:30 p.m., MAY 28, 2021 in the AV Room at City
Hall, and was made available as a live stream via CivicClerk per the agenda.

Committee Members Present:
Keeley Steele, Chair
Chuck Overstreet, Vice Chair
Pat Jones
Bruce King
Deanna McKinney
Shannon Snodgrass (via Zoom)
Tiffany Wesley-Plear

Other Councilmembers Present:




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes –
Councilmember King moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 3-30-
2021. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. There was no objection, and the
minutes were approved.




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 2. Public Speakers –

  Dijon Stokes – Spoke against Resolution No. 472-21
  Loree Stark – Spoke against Resolution No. 472-21
  Chad Cordell – Spoke against Resolution No. 472-21
  Takeiya Smith - Spoke against Resolution No. 472-21
  Lill Properino – submitted a written statement, read by the Chair, against
 Resolution No. 472-21
  Liira Raines - submitted a written statement, read by the Chair, against
 Resolution No. 472-21



 3. Resolution No. 472-21 - Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter into a
 Memorandum of Understanding with the Kanawha County Board of Education for
 continued placement of three Prevention Resource Officers at schools in
 Charleston – West Side Middle School, Capital High School and George
 Washington High School.

Councilmembers Steele invited Keith Beneteau, Executive Director of Safety and
Security Services for Kanawha County Schools District, to give the Committee an
overview of the Prevention Resource Officers Program. Beneteau stated that the
difference between PROs and SROs is that the former is grant funded. The Officers are
stationed in the schools, of which there are currently 11 assigned in all 8 high schools
and 3 middle schools (West Side, South Charleston and Dunbar). In order to be grant
funded, an MOU must be signed with the Division and Community and Justice Services.
Beneteau added that, generally speaking, PROs are in place for prevention, mentoring,
bring a positive role model. They are not necessarily there to enforce school rules
(which is the burden of the school administrators), but can if they witness or are alerted
to a crime. However, they are aware that school discipline is the preferred route. The
school administration and the PROs work together as a team to provide for the safety
and security of the schools. He added that they provide a level of comfort and reduce
anxiety, know the school climate and how it operates. Beneteau added that he
considerers them indispensable, and they have a sense of duty, ethical
responsibility, ownership and respect.

Councilmember Steele asked why a municipality would not apply for a grant that would
partially cover the salary. Beneteau replied that he has heard anecdotally that the
contract required would limit their ability to otherwise task that officer (they are required
to spend 35 hours a week in the school).

Councilmember McKinney asked if the PROs and SROs had different sets of
responsibilities. Beneteau replied that they are called PROs if grant funded.
Councilmember McKinney expressed concerns that they were being used to put
children through the legal system. Councilmember McKinney asked who held the PROs
accountable. Councilmember Steele replied that they are required to make daily,

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monthly and quarterly reports. Councilmember King asked if the duties for PROs and
SROs are the same. Beneteau replied that the only MOUs that are signed are with
PROs

Councilmember Snodgrass added that her father is a retried former Superintendent of
Kanawha County Schools. She had spoken to several teachers and students, and had
not heard any negative comments regarding the PROs. She asked if there had been
any negative outcomes with the officers. Beneteau replied that they are extremely rare,
perhaps once or twice a year. Most were not egregious, and were usually the result of
personality conflicts. The school system does not have direct supervisory control of the
PROs, so complaints would most likely go to those individual agencies instead of the
school district.

Councilmember Wesley-Plear added that there was a meeting a few years ago to
address this, and there were numerous concerns voiced to the school board. Most of
the students at the meeting, a majority from Capital High, felt that they were being
treated differently or more harshly than other students because there was an officer at
their school. She added that she was unclear of what the PROs were supposed to be
doing in the schools. Councilmember Wesley-Plear asked how the schools are
selected. Beneteau replied that there are officers in all of the high schools because of a
general assumption that there is more likely to be violence with older kids. There is only
one middle school in Dunbar, so that was chosen. Councilmember Wesley-Plear asked
why West Side Middle was chosen of the 3 middle schools in Charleston to have a
PRO, adding that the perception of the kids is that they are the “bad kids” because there
is an officer at their school. Beneteau replied that he had not participated in any debat
as to how those schools were chosen, adding that he would like to see a PRO in every
school.

Councilmember McKinney stated that she had also heard a lot of complaints from
students. Councilmember Wesley-Plear asked if the students had been surveyed since
2016. Beneteau replied that he was not aware of such a survey. Councilmembers
Wesley-Plear and Mckinney recommended that one be conducted. A person in the
audience asked if there was data as to how the officers were placed and where.
Beneteau replied that there are statistics available through the West Virginia Education
and Information System that he generally shares with their management committee.
Councilmember Steele added that she understood that when these grants became
available, the Board made those assessments based what the cities could afford, and
those schools have not changed for Charleston in at least 16 years. Melissa Taylor,
from the City Manager’s Office, confirmed.

Councilmember Jones stated that there is higher crime numbers on the West Side than
any other part of Charleston, and he would feel better as a parent to have an officer at
West Side Middle. Councilmember Jones asked what happens when a student is
caught with drugs. Beneteau stated that it would depend on the level of the drug crime.
Simple possessions would normally be handled by the school, whereas an intent to
deliver might be reported. He added that discretion and common sense in used when

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making those decisions.

Councilmember Snodgrass stated that she understood part of the reason in having
officers in the school was to act as a community liaison, and asked if it was similar to
Handle With Care. Councilmember Wesley-Plear replied that, having had that training,
the program has fizzled out at the Elementary level. It was more a notification that
something had happened at home, so that school staff would be aware to handle that
student with care. The next level would be to refer the child/family for mental health
assistance. Principal of Capital High School, Larry Bailey, stated that the initial
notification comes law enforcement, who notifies all staff, adding that the child will
typically also see a counselor.

Councilmember McKinney stated that it was insensitive to justify having officers at West
Side Middle simply because there is high crime. She wanted to find a way for the kids to
be able to speak for themselves. Principal of West Side Middle, John Wilkerson,
agreed, saying that their PRO has more to do with outside than within the school. Their
PRO works with the staff to develop a safety plan for the school to keep bad elements
out and protect students. Since their PRO, Cpl. Stacy Loftus, has been assigned to their
school (about 9 years), no child has been arrested, and Wilkerson has never received a
complaint about him. He added that the PRO program gives a positive interaction
between the officer and the students. Additionally, students are willing to come to Cpl.
Loftus over matters that they would not with school staff.

Councilmember McKinney stated that there was a difference in having the same officer
there for many years, which was not what the high schools had. Bailey added that they
have had the same officer for the past 4 years. He added that the PRO is not there to
patrol the halls, but to be a resource for the school. Additionally, they are the only
person that has access to use NARCAN. Councilmember Steele confirmed that there is
no Board of Education policy on NARCAN.

 A member of the audience was recognized, and asked why those interactions have to
come from an armed police officer instead of a counselor. Wilkerson replied that a PRO
should not take the place of a counselor, and that some kids will gravitate to adults
differently. He added that the more caring adults are available at a school, the better.

Councilmember Steele asked Deputy Chief Scott Dempsey to speak about how PROs
are chosen. He stated that when a position becomes open, a notice is put out to all
officers. As long as the requirements are met (length of service, training, etc.), all the
letters of application are sent to the Commanding Officers to select the best qualified
officer. Councilmember McKinney asked if the PRO wear uniforms. Deputy Chief
Dempsey replied that mostly they are dressed out of uniform.

The PRO for Capital High, Cpl. Travis Hill, added that he had heard of stories before his
time at the school, and hoped he was changing how students view the Police. He
relayed a story where a student wouldn’t interact with him, but later came to him after a
tragic event to discuss their safety, and now they have a positive relationship. A

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member of the audience agreed with the importance of having trusted adults in kids
lives, however, he added that the problem is when there is a direct line to a broken and
damaging criminal justice system. He added that everything described could be done by
an agent who is not armed. Bailey replied that for certain levels of drug offenses, the
police would have to be called no matter what. Councilmember King added that PROs
also have the power to protect students and staff. Councilmember Snodgrass thanked
the PROs and Principals present. Councilmember Overstreet agreed that there should
be more counselors, but not to negate having PROs.

Councilmember Wesley-Plear asked if a lock-down plan was different in schools without
a PRO. Beneteau replied that, generally speaking, those procedures are common to all
schools, although it is enhanced by having an armed professional already present in the
building. The principals present offered to give personal tours of their schools to the
Committee members. Councilmember Wesley-Plear asked how the PROs were
evaluated (a rubric or scoring guide, for example). Deputy Chief Dempsey replied that
they follow up with reports and with the Commanders.


Councilmember Jones motioned to approve Resolution No. 472-21. Councilmember
McKinney seconded the motion. With the majority of members present voting in the
affirmative with 1 Nay from Wesley-Plear, the resolution was approved.




Councilmember McKinney motioned to adjourn. Councilmember Jones seconded.
Meeting adjourned.

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 1 Resolution No. 660-22
 2
 3 Introduced in Council: Adopted by Council:
 4
 5 April 18, 2022
 6
 7 Introduced by: Referred to:
 8
 9 Keeley Steele and Joseph Jenkins Public Safety Committee
10
11
12 Resolution No. 660-22 -
13
14 WHEREAS, an excess levy election has been set for Tuesday, May 10, 2022, to provide the
15 voters of Kanawha County the opportunity to approve an excess tax levy for the years
16 beginning July 1, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, to support the operations of the Kanawha
17 County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEEA), which has established and maintains an
18 emergency ambulance system for Kanawha County; the Kanawha Valley Regional
19 Transportation Authority (KVRTA), the owner and operator of the public bus transportation
20 system serving Kanawha County and its citizens; and the establishment of an Emergency
21 Services Fund, to assist and support public law enforcement and public fire protection agencies
22 within Kanawha County; and
23
24 WHEREAS, the proposed excess levy is needed for the continued operation of the Ambulance
25 and Transportation Authority, and to assist local police and fire departments to meet the public
26 safety concerns of the citizens and will be used to provide funds for the acquisition of equipment,
27 capital improvements and to cover in part current general maintenance and operational
28 expenses as well as match funds from the government of the United States and others; and
29
30 WHEREAS, the proposed levy rate was not increased to ensure that the Kanawha County
31 taxpayers would not face any increase in the taxes allocated for these services.
32
33 Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
34
35 That City Council does hereby endorse the proposed special levy to be voted on May 10, 2022,
36 and urges all eligible voters to vote for the levy to provide for the continued operation and
37 expansion of the emergency ambulance system, the continued operation and improvement of
38 the mass transportation system, and supplemental funding for public law enforcement and
39 public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County.




 Page | 7 of

MINUTES
 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

 5:00 P. M., APRIL 14, 2022


Keeley Steele, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Public Safety to order at 5:00 p.m., APRIL 14, 2022. THE MEETING WAS
HELD OVER ZOOM AND WAS MADE AVAILABLE AS A LIVE STREAM TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM PER
THE AGENDA.

Committee Members Present: all over Zoom
Keeley Steele, Chair
Chuck Overstreet, Vice Chair
Ben Adams
Brady Campbell
Caitlin Cook
Joseph Jenkins

Committee Members Absent:
Larry Moore


Other Councilmembers Present:




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes –
Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 5-28-
2021. Councilmember Overstreet seconded the motion. There was no objection, and
the minutes were approved.

 1
 2. Resolution No. 660-22 – That City Council does hereby endorse the proposed
 special levy to be voted on May 10, 2022, and urges all eligible voters to vote for
 the levy to provide for the continued operation and expansion of the emergency
 ambulance system, the continued operation and improvement of the mass
 transportation system, and supplemental funding for public law enforcement and
 public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County.

City Manager, Jonathan Storage added that the resolution was requested by the KRT
and Kanawha Emergency Ambulance Authority since both entities benefit from the levy.
The levy has been in existence for a long time, known as the Public Safety Levy, which
is administered by Kanawha County. The City does indirectly benefit from this levy. This
levy will be on the May, Primary ballot to extend the levy through 2028. The levy is
required for the continuity of emergency services funding. The levy would establish an
Emergency Services fund to establish a public and fire protection agency to help with
equipment purchases, etc, as well funding some EMS services. A substantial portion of
KRT’s budget relied on the levy.

Sean Hill, representing KRT, added that he appreciated Council’s continued support of
KRT and the levy.

Councilmember Cook asked how long the levy had been on the ballot. Storage replied
that the levy has been on the levy and approved for about 50 years. He added that the
proposed levy would not be increasing rates.

Councilmember Jenkins motioned to approve Resolution No. 660-22. Councilmember
Cook seconded the motion. With the members present voting unanimously in the
affirmative, the resolution was approved.




Councilmember Cook motioned to adjourn. Meeting adjourned.




 2
Resolution No. 660-22 -

WHEREAS, an excess levy election has been set for Tuesday, May 10, 2022, to
provide the voters of Kanawha County the opportunity to approve an excess tax levy for
the years beginning July 1, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, to support the operations
of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEEA), which has
established and maintains an emergency ambulance system for Kanawha County; the
Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KVRTA), the owner and operator of
the public bus transportation system serving Kanawha County and its citizens; and the
establishment of an Emergency Services Fund, to assist and support public law
enforcement and public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County; and

WHEREAS, the proposed excess levy is needed for the continued operation of the
Ambulance and Transportation Authority, and to assist local police and fire departments
to meet the public safety concerns of the citizens and will be used to provide funds for
the acquisition of equipment, capital improvements and to cover in part current general
maintenance and operational expenses as well as match funds from the government of
the United States and others; and

WHEREAS, the proposed levy rate was not increased to ensure that the Kanawha
County taxpayers would not face any increase in the taxes allocated for these services.

Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:

That City Council does hereby endorse the proposed special levy to be voted on May
10, 2022, and urges all eligible voters to vote for the levy to provide for the continued
operation and expansion of the emergency ambulance system, the continued operation
and improvement of the mass transportation system, and supplemental funding for
public law enforcement and public fire protection agencies within Kanawha County.




 3
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