CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston City Council voted at its meeting Monday night to purchase the Middle East Mart at Slack Plaza, which has caused police problems for years.
The purchase will allow police bicycle and K-9 units to have more of a permanent presence in the area. Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster says the move will clean up some of the trouble.
“We’re pretty happy with it because it’s been an issue for many years,” Webster said. “We see this as a long term solution. There’s a lot of nuisance issues over the years.”
He said problems included drinking, drug use and solicitation. He thought that though the area had improved over the years, this purchase would go a long way toward further public safety.
“Having a more permanent presence with the K-9 offices and the bike offices will allow us to have a more permanent visibility,” he said.
Webster explained that the Slack Plaza is in the area of people just trying to go about their daily business, and that they deserve to feel protected.
“There’s a lot of really good people that are just trying to get through the park,” Webster said. “Whether it’s a restaurant or the mall; others are waiting for a bus, just trying to go about their lives. Unfortunately you have people that want to take advantage of the park for other reasons.”