BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Residents pressed the Mingo County Commission on Aug. 5 to address growing concerns over drug activity, homelessness, panhandling and public safety in Williamson and other parts of the county, with one commissioner warning that the problem is “becoming worse by the day.”

Ashley Erwin, a Mingo County educator and mother of three, returned to the commission after raising the issue at its previous meeting. This time, she appeared on the agenda and asked county leaders to take a “real, honest look” at what is driving the changes residents are seeing in Williamson.

Erwin stressed that her concerns were not directed at one rehabilitation facility or at people struggling with addiction. Rather, she questioned practices she believes are occurring across multiple treatment programs, including bringing people into the area and discharging some without housing, transportation or continuity of care.

“Last time I spoke, my comments were shared widely, and some reduced what I said to an attack on one specific facility, or on people struggling with addiction,” Erwin told commissioners. “That was never my intent.”

She also raised questions about how some facilities screen and accept residents, including registered sex offenders. She urged public officials to examine whether current practices are affecting community safety.

“I raise this not to point fingers at any one organization, but because I believe our town deserves clarity on these practices,” Erwin stated.

Her request to the commission centered on determining what authority county government has to respond, whether through additional law enforcement resources, closer examination of treatment-facility practices or other measures.

“I’m asking for something simpler: a real, honest look at what’s driving the safety concerns in our town, and what tools this commission has to address them,” Erwin explained.

She emphasized that she was seeking solutions rather than confrontation.

“I want this town to be safer for everyone in it — including the people struggling with addiction who deserve real, well-run treatment and the families and children who deserve to feel safe walking their own streets.”

Erwin described a marked change in how she experiences downtown Williamson compared with a decade ago.

“Ten years ago, I felt safe jogging through downtown, and today I feel anxious walking my own children across the street to ballet and karate practice,” she told the commission.

She added that she does not believe residents must establish where every unfamiliar person came from before acknowledging that conditions in the community have changed.

“Our town deserves a real plan to address it,” Erwin stated. “I’m asking this commission to take that seriously — not for my sake, but for our children’s.”

Erwin returned home to Mingo County to work and raise a family but now worries about whether her three young children will want to remain in the area or even graduate from school there. She also reflected on how Williamson’s downtown business district has changed over the years.

Several residents voiced similar concerns following her presentation, including Harold Hickok, Bill and Joy Phillips and Vicki Rowe.

Philip Dean Moore, who appeared separately on the meeting agenda, raised concerns about what he called “drug and dope” houses in his Matewan-area neighborhood. Moore reported finding a used syringe in his yard and described problems involving a suspected meth house near his home and property.

Commission President Nathan Brown told Erwin that commissioners had not intended to ignore her when she spoke at the previous meeting and that they shared some of her concerns. Because Erwin had not been listed on that meeting’s agenda, the commission later explained on social media that members were unable to respond to her remarks at the time.

Brown, who also serves as Williamson city attorney, noted that city officials have previously explored zoning options. Williamson also prohibited camping inside city limits in an effort to prevent people from living beneath the city’s two bridges and in other locations.

The discussion broadened to law enforcement, with participants noting staffing shortages among agencies serving the city and county.

Brown thanked residents for taking part in what he described as a thoughtful discussion about rehabilitation centers in Williamson and drug-related problems throughout Mingo County.

“We appreciate the public’s input and want everyone to know that the Commission is aware of and concerned about these issues,” Brown stated. “We are committed to working within the limits of the law to address matters that are within our authority and to serve the best interests of our community.”

Commissioner Thomas Taylor offered one of the strongest assessments of the meeting, arguing that the problem extends well beyond Williamson.

“We have a serious problem in Mingo County that is becoming worse by the day,” Taylor stated. “Williamson isn’t Williamson anymore, and many other parts of the county are experiencing the same issues. We are slowly losing it to drugs and homelessness. Something has to change.”

Taylor acknowledged the needs of people struggling with addiction and homelessness while also pointing to the strain on residents and communities.

“I do have compassion for these people, but I also have compassion for the many residents that this has become a huge burden on,” he stated.

Taylor called for a stronger police presence and said he hopes the commission will take action and hold responsible parties accountable.