photo by: Eric Ayers (file)

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger gives a presentation to city council about the police department’s Crisis Response Unit and its approach in dealing with cases of mental health and substance abuse disorders in the community.

Wheeling officials are preparing to use a sizable chunk of the state’s opioid settlement grant money from West Virginia First Foundation to purchase vehicles and radios for the Wheeling Police Department’s Crisis Response Team.

Late last year, the West Virginia First Foundation announced the recipients of its initial Opportunity Grants, funding nearly $10.4 million in programs aimed at tackling the state’s opioid crisis for 38 organizations in different target areas across West Virginia. The Wheeling Police Department received a $463,633 grant for diversion and interdiction programs through its Crisis Response Team or CRT.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said the program utilizes civilian staff members who are embedded in the police department, with Peer Recovery Support Specialists and mental health social workers taking a unique approach to crisis intervention.

Legislation was introduced before Wheeling City Council at its last meeting to make purchases with a portion of this grant money.

One ordinance authorized Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron to spend $104,693 with Jim Shorkey Auto Group of Irwin, Pennsylvania, for three vehicles, including two Chevrolet Malibus with unit prices of $27,995 and $28,495, and one Jeep Grand Cherokee with a unit price of $46,658.

Although the vehicles were listed in the ordinance as police vehicles, officials noted that they are not police cruisers – they are cars to be used by the civilian members of the Crisis Response Unit.

“These vehicles are funded through the West Virginia First Foundation grant. They were specifically put into that grant application, so they have been approved,” Herron said, requesting that members of council hold two readings and approve the purchase immediately before the price quote expires. “The issue is there is a 30-day price guarantee on those.”

City council approved the ordinance after two readings at last week’s meeting. Another ordinance introduced during the last meeting for another purchase for the Crisis Response Team is set for a second reading and final vote next week. The ordinance will authorize the expenditure of $21,094 with Motorola Solutions of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, for the purchase of portable radios — also to be charged to the West Virginia First Foundation grant.

“The portable radios will allow each unit member to communicate with officers and dispatch when they respond to mental health calls,” said Philip Stahl, public information officer for the Wheeling Police Department.

These types of programs help divert individuals from the criminal justice system and provide them with the type of support and treatment they need, according to the West Virginia First Foundation. In addition to diversion and interdiction programs like the Wheeling Police Department’s CRT unit, there are several other categories or “target areas” that are a key focus of the opioid crisis funding.

Other target areas include youth prevention and workforce development, child advocacy centers and Pregnant and Parenting Women Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome programs, and transitional/recovery housing expansion.

Wheeling City Councilman Ben Seidler noted that in the coming weeks, he planned to formally present recommendations for the city to use some of its available opioid crisis funding on proposals from Northwood Health Systems.

Wheeling City Council is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.