MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The safety level in downtown Morgantown has deteriorated to the point multiple community and business owners are reaching out to elected officials for help.
Main Street Morgantown President A.J. Hammond recently delivered a letter to city council. He said he not only remains concerned but wants to help find some answers.
“We want to be part of the solution from the Main Street Morgantown perspective,” Hammond said. “We’ve got a lot of great investment going on in the last several years especially and we want to continue that investment.”
According to Hammond, business owners have shared concerns they have heard from customers. Now, the fall season brings many downtown on football game days, fall festivals and soon Christmas activities will be coming to the area on High Street.
“Downtown Morgantown is a wonderful community and a great place to visit and do business,” Hammond said. “But, lately there has been a rise in open drug use and some violence, especially late night violence.”
Downtown is known for a collection of shops, coffee houses, restaurants and free exchange between people from all age groups and backgrounds. Hammond hopes the letter conveys the need to act, but assures city leaders his organization will support their recommendations in any way possible.
“This place is available for everyone and everyone certainly deserves a safe, vibrant community and downtown so we’re working to get the right stakeholders in place to be able to create that vibrant community which is our mission,” Hammond said.
Hammond said many members of the downtown business community are eager to begin working on a solution. Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble and Sixth Ward Council Dave Harshbarger have each expressed concern and frustration after witnessing first hand accounts or refusing to bring their children downtown during the day.
Both Trumble and Harsharger have strong supporters of parks, trails and the downtown.
“Getting all those stakeholders at the same table to have this conversation will start to really make some progress to clean up the downtown and make it the place we all want it to be,” Hammond said.
Hammond said the uptick has been noticed over the last few months, but can’t really key in on a specific catalyst.
“So, of the challenges we’re facing in Morgantown are certainly national issues, we’re not alone in what we’re facing,” Hammond said. “I do think it’s important to work to find a solution and not just complain.”