Civilian Police Review & Advisory Board

MINUTES CIVILIAN POLICE REVIEW AND ADVISORY BOARD Special Meeting November 21, 2024 Virtual Meeting by Zoom Members Present: Megan Gandy, Rich Burks, Bob Cohen, Catherine Fonseca, Dady Dadyburjor Also present: Ben Conley, John Evans, Joe Nelson, Taylor Williams 1. Call to Order: 11:30 am 2. This Special Meeting was called for the limited purpose (a) reviewing the Phase 1 research results of the Community Survey, and (b) discussing funding for the proposed Phase 2 of research for the Community Survey. a. Phase 1 involves using focus groups and individual interviews in order to identify timely and relevant survey questions to be used in Phase 2. Megan reported that 34 individuals participated in Phase 1. There were four focus groups including (1) social services personnel, (2) advocacy groups, (3) business owners and (4) general public. The individual interviews were for people who wanted to participate but could not be present at a focus group. The individual interviews included five unhoused people, two Morgantown Police Department (MPD) personnel, two business owners and one social services provider. Megan reported, and presented a power point presentation, on the demographics of the 34 participants in Phase 1. The interview questions covered participants’ (1) experiences with the MPD, (2) view of the role of the MPD, (3) role of citizens in helping Morgantown residents and visitors be safe and resolve crime, (3) views of how the MPD is and is not fulfilling its Mission Statement, (4) improvements the participants wish to see in the MPD, and (5) recommendations for action steps to bring about those improvements. Megan said that the data from the focus groups and individual interviews will be analyzed in order to develop questions for the Phase 2 written survey. b. Phase 2 is a quantitative survey open to all Morgantown residents. Megan reported that the survey aims to collect approximately 700 usable responses. To 1  reach the target sample size, based on an average response rate of 10% and room for error, Megan anticipates sending 7500 survey invitations to randomized addresses. The proposed budget for Phase 2 is $14,132.10. The major items in the budget are $5866.50 for the 7500 postcard invitations ($1329 for postcards, $4200.00 for postage, and $337.50 to obtain a random selection of 7500 residential addresses from Morgantown Printing & Binding) and $4891.00 for a graduate research assistant. There will be no cost for Megan’s services to the Community Survey or for the services of Sociology Prof. James Nolan. The deadline for submitting budget proposals to Morgantown City Council is December for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Following the presentation, Megan answered question from Board members. 3. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 4. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:30 pm. Minutes prepared by Bob Cohen 2