Huntington Police Department Community Oriented Policing Endeavors (COPE) Project

West Virginia faces a critical crisis with the highest per capita overdose rates in the nation, with Cabell County ranking second in the state. The opioid epidemic has tripled overdose deaths in the last decade, with 1,403 fatalities in 2022, 84% of which were opioid-related. In 2021, at least 65 people died monthly from drug overdoses. Additionally, suicide rates have been increasing, exacerbating the challenges for the community. Substance use and mental illness significantly contribute to homelessness, creating a cycle that is hard to break. Huntington has seen an increase in unsheltered individuals who fall through care gaps. This project aims to support those who are unsheltered, experiencing mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) crises, individuals with cognitive disabilities at risk of wandering, missing persons, and those who fall out of care. Through proactive policing strategies, this initiative seeks to enhance community safety and strengthen the relationship between residents and the Huntington Police Department (HPD).

The Huntington Police Department will lead a community policing effort focusing on the city's vulnerable populations to foster a safer and healthier environment. The recent establishment of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) pairs mental health providers with police officers to address mental health and co-occurring SUD crises. This model aims to reduce stigma and unnecessary criminal justice involvement. Although the CIT program has gained national recognition, sustaining it financially has been challenging. The project seeks funding for mental health staff salaries, officer overtime, a dedicated CIT vehicle, and essential equipment. Additionally, the initiative includes locative technology for cognitively impaired individuals prone to wandering and Ring Doorbells to enhance surveillance and safety. This program also plans to provide storage containers for the belongings of homeless individuals, ensuring their possessions are secure while they access resources. The overall goal is to demonstrate the effective use of taxpayer funds by providing essential services and support to the community, potentially serving as a model for statewide and national replication.

COPE aims to address the declining public support for law enforcement by improving community-police relations and providing critical resources to vulnerable populations. By focusing on mental health, SUD crises, and homelessness, the program intends to reduce crime rates and improve public safety. Enhanced community relations and resource allocation will lead to higher crime-solving rates and a stronger community-police bond. COPE's success in Huntington could inspire similar initiatives across West Virginia and the nation, positioning HPD as a leader in community policing.