BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Mingo County Sheriff Joe Smith says law enforcement and health officials have contacted about 40 people in Williamson over the past four weeks, offering housing, drug treatment, food and medical assistance.
Few accepted the help, according to Smith, and his department will now assist Williamson police in enforcing city ordinances, including one that prohibits camping without a permit inside city limits.
The sheriff’s department joined the Mingo County Health Department’s Quick Response Team, Williamson Police Department and a victim advocate from the sheriff’s department in the effort.
Smith described what the teams encountered while walking through the city.
“Over the past four weeks, your Mingo County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Quick Response Team (QRT) with the Health Department, Williamson Police Department, and a victim advocate with the Sheriff’s Department, have walked the streets of Williamson offering resources to those in need,” he stated.
“We have encountered individuals living under bridges, sleeping in tents, and on cots along the flood wall. We have offered approximately 40 individuals assistance with housing, drug rehabilitation, food, and medical care.”
About 75% of the individuals were from the surrounding area, Smith reported. He defined “local” as residents of Mingo County, West Virginia, or Pike and Martin counties in Kentucky.
The teams found that appearances did not always reflect a person’s housing situation.
“We spoke to several individuals who have housing with utilities and are choosing to be in that environment,” Smith stated.
The agencies set out to reach people throughout Williamson, from the East End to the West End.
With that phase completed, the sheriff’s department plans to take a different role in the city’s response.
“Now that we have offered assistance to all individuals we have come in contact with, moving forward, your Mingo County Sheriff’s Department will be assisting the Williamson City Police Department in enforcing city ordinances,” Smith stated. “One city ordinance, from my understanding, prohibits individuals from camping without a permit inside city limits.”
He credited several local officials and agencies with working together on the issue.
“Myself, along with the County Commission, Mayor (Mike Casey), and Keith Blakenship from the health department, all agreed something needed to be done,” Smith said. “I thought personally reaching out to people and offering them help was the right thing to do, but we all worked together on it. I’ve walked several miles the past four weeks.”
The sheriff also singled out the Quick Response Team for its work.
“The QRT was right there beside us the entire time also,” Smith added.
“As Sheriff of Mingo County, I want to personally thank QRT for all their hard work and dedication.”
He again turned his message to those who may still need assistance.
“There’s help and resources available and now is the time to take advantage of it,” Smith concluded.