Danielle Trumble, 5th Ward
[email protected]
Q1. There have been proposals put forward to create a Civilian Review Board for the Morgantown City Police. Please share your thoughts on this ordinance, or a civilian police review board in Morgantown.
I am in favor of the goals of this ordinance. I support transparency, accountability, and increased communication to give a voice to folks who have been marginalized. Due to the impending litigation, I would like to see the city take its time to answer any questions and address any concerns brought forth before pushing forward for a vote. I have personally raised questions about selection, budget, and accountability of the board. Given the new police chief’s recent engagement, I would like to get more input from all stakeholders in order to make this ordinance the best that it can be so we are fully prepared to defend it in court.
Q2. In the past year, the city has been engaged in conversations about housing insecurity and houselessness, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. How would you like to see the city address houselessness in Morgantown?
I am active on the Special Committee on Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness and have committed to continuing its great work if elected to council. (When Mayor Dulaney, its chair, is no longer on council, another representative would need to step into his position in order for the committee to continue.) This board consists of representatives from city government, the community, and social services who come together to collaborate on addressing this very concerning issue. I believe that supporting our current services and working closely with them is the best way to address houselessness inside the city.
Q3. People experiencing houselessness sometimes set up encampments on personal or public property. These can provide a community and stability but have also created concerns about safety and sanitation. How do you think Morgantown should approach encampments like these?
The idea of encampments has been a very polarizing issue. I believe that the health and safety of all citizens should be a priority in our city. However, I feel like we can do better by our unsheltered neighbors than simply allowing them to live in a tent. These are human beings who deserve better. Instead, I would like to see our neighbors transitioned into housing and given the support needed to flourish. The city should be a better collaborator with our social services to assist those in need. I will help to facilitate this by continuing the work of the Special Committee on Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness. This group has been working hard to optimize the services offered at “the old Ramada” and I would like to see eventual expansion of those services to include medical care and mental health services.
Q4. The Center for Disease Control advocates for needs-based syringe programs (providing access to the number of syringes needed “to ensure that a new, sterile syringe is available for each injection” with no restrictions including returning used syringes) as the best practice to reduce new HIV and viral hepatitis infections. These evidence-based programs that follow suggested best practices have been controversial in West Virginia and under attack at both the state and local level. If elected to city council how would you view syringe distribution programs?
While I would like to see these programs encourage more of an “exchange” model, I do support harm reduction programs as a matter of public health. I find it detestable that, during a health crisis like we are currently experiencing, that the state legislature would consider cutting funding for these programs. The city does provide some support to our social services and I would absolutely consider a budget to assist with their funding.
Q5. In 2017, Morgantown passed a Non-Discrimination Ordinance to include protections “against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations on account of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, or veteran status.” Do you support that NDO. Why or why not?
I stand firmly against discrimination of any kind. I believe that all people are created equally and deserve the right to exist peacefully and happily. I commend Morgantown on its devotion to being a welcoming and inclusive community and will continue to support those initiatives as a community leader whether elected to council or not.
Q6. In 2020, the Morgantown City Council passed a cannabis decriminalization ordinance, lowering the misdemeanor crime of possession of less than 15 grams in city limits to a $15 fine and no jail time. What are your views on cannabis and decriminalization of drugs for personal use?
I support the steps taken by the city of Morgantown to decriminalize cannabis but realize that, as a city, there is only so much that we can do. Due to our inconsistent city limits and the manner in which drug charges are filed, I would encourage further action to be taken at a state level. I do believe that legalization is imminent and necessary to stay on par with other states. There are a lot of opportunities for our state to capitalize on legalization.
Q7. This year, a resolution was passed in support of the Crown Act and council members have spoken about their commitment to put this into law in the form of a municipal ordinance. Will you support this effort to prevent discrimination on the basis of traits commonly associated with race like hair texture and protective hair styles? Why or why not?
I recently spoke in favor of the creation of this ordinance during a city council meeting. I believe that discrimination is wrong and will continue to support Morgantown’s long history of being a human rights leader in the state of WV.
Q8. Many WV municipalities have passed ordinances allowing cities to force abatement measures on ‘nuisance properties’ where there are multiple instances of suspected crimes. Proponents say this can help crack down on drug activity and predatory landlords. Opponents say this can create due process concerns and discourage calls to the police when help is needed. What is your opinion of these ‘drug house’ ordinances?
Nuisance property ordinances, as enacted in other municipalities, often seem like a good idea on paper but present problems in practice. I am not generally in favor of ordinances that paint a variety of different situations with the same broad brush. While I do strive to make neighborhoods safer for everyone, discouraging a call to emergency services because of possible retaliation towards innocent parties isn’t the correct answer. I would work to give law enforcement the tools to address true nuisance properties that are creating public safety issues through investigation and without compromising the rights of those involved.