MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Mountain State Justice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Morgantown on behalf of a homeless resident that has been arrested several times for panhandling.
The lawsuit accuses the city of “ramping up efforts to criminalize panhandling” that have resulted in the arrest of her client seven times since June of 2023 by the Morgantown Police Department.
Mountain State Justice attorneys said their client is the primary caretaker for his disabled partner. A press release said the pair are completely reliant on soliciting for their survival.
Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom had not heard about the legal action when contacted but said he hopes this person can find the assistance they need.
“There is more than one city in our county that is enforcing the law (Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety Ordinance) that is currently on the books,” Bloom said.” The individual who has been ticketed seven times is certainly eligible to receive assistance from the many resources we have in Monongalia County.”