Paul Liller, 3rd 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.
First and foremost, I think that regardless of the particular ordinance, it is paramount that we protect our friends and neighbors who have faced difficulties, fear, and even discrimination due to various prejudices and phobias. Ultimately, the job of City Council is to protect EVERY citizen in Morgantown. I myself have had to work with the Morgantown Police Department when Drag Queen Storytime faced threats. While my experience with them was positive, I know that many folks, especially our black and brown neighbors have very different experiences. Ultimately we will not change the makeup of the legislature in Charleston, so I fear that the ordinance written as is could create even more division and a more hostile environment that will put the very folks we want to protect in an even more scary place. Now knowing that the acting police chief is interested in being an active part of finding a solution, my hope is that we can negotiate something that will not be able to be challenged legally, and makes everyone actually want to come together and work as a community.
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?
First and foremost, I was incredibly saddened to watch the saga unfold with Diamond Village. We are a civilized nation, and our neighbors deserve much better than to be pushed to a tent city on a riverbank. The property owners who have invested in our community by setting up roots here. We know that a large cause of homelessness is due to trauma, which is what has lead to a number of substance abuse issues, and also the neighborhood thefts and issues. We must not only get folks housed, but work tirelessly to help address the difficulties they face so they can regain their stability and stop the cycle of trauma.
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?
See Above. Again, we must focus on robust plans to get these folks the help they deserve.
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?
Often times I hear that the response from folks who say “Why should syringes be free to drug addicts and not free to diabetics?”, and the response is, they should be available to both! We must address addiction as the illness that it is, and we should all want to find ways to take care of our friends and neighbors who need help, regardless of the illness. The best way to make changes at the state level is for Morgantown to lead by example, and support these programs.
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?
We are all neighbors. We may differ in skin color, gender, who we love, hair color, or all sorts of other superficial things, but we are all humans just trying to live a shared experience of happiness. We are all far more alike than different, so it is key to have these kind of policies in place!
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 personally believe that the cannabis industry could not only provide assistance in lowering opioid and other addictions, it also could be a major source of revenue for our state. I support the city ordinance.
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?
Absolutely! This isn’t even a question in my mind. It’s 2021, and I cannot believe that we even need to have this discussion. People deserve to live as their authentic selves and their natural hair should be no one’s business but the person who’s head it is on. I’m proud that Morgantown adopted this, but I cannot wait until these types of discussions no longer need to take place.
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?
I do believe that we need to be mindful of nuisance properties, as they present danger to others, and especially property values. That being said, I do also believe that we must be kind and mindful that calling the police can be triggering for some folks. I believe that by implementing better policing policies, we can avoid some of that particular piece of the issue, while still being responsible about maintaining a safe, beautiful, and healthy city.