MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Mountain State Justice has filed a lawsuit against the City of Morgantown on behalf of a homeless resident who 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 the plaintiff seven times since last June by the Morgantown Police Department.
Mountain State Justice attorneys said their client is the primary caretaker for his disabled partner. A news release said the couple s 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 (the 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.”
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and individual damages.
A request for comment from Mountain State Justice has not been answered.