Ohio’s New Miami Village Council unanimously voted on June 27 to fireplace Police Chief Harold Webb after Mayor Jewell Hayes-Hensley accused him of getting an workplace that smelled of marijuana. This data, reported by the New York Publish, was based mostly on a letter from the mayor’s workplace obtained by Ohio’s Fox 19.
A poll initiative permitted in November 2023 utterly legalized hashish in Ohio.
On June 20, when Hayes-Hensley and one other council member went to Webb’s workplace to select up his each day logs, they observed a robust marijuana odor. That is when the incident began.
“After I first stated, ‘Who has been smoking weed in right here?'” The mayor of New Miami Village, a hamlet of two,226 individuals in southeast Ohio, acknowledged, “The odor of marijuana might knock you off your ft.”
Cananbis with a robust odor is called “loud” or “dank” within the hashish neighborhood.
Marijuana Odor from a Bust 4 Months In the past?
In the identical letter relating to the marijuana odor, Mayor Jewell Hayes-Hensley accused Police Chief Harold Webb of a number of infractions, together with stealing scorching canine from a gasoline station the place solely free soda was allowed on obligation, refusing to reply to 911 calls, “theft of workplace,” falsifying timesheets and each day logs, and “cashing his paycheck understanding he was required to indicate proof of his being at work.”
The mayor recommended that the marijuana odor may be linked to a bust that occurred 4 months prior, implying that Webb might have been smoking the confiscated hashish. Nonetheless, specialists word that the odor of hashish smoke sometimes lingers in a room for less than 4 to 6 hours and doesn’t cling to furnishings or curtains like tobacco smoke. This casts doubt on the concept the odor from a earlier bust might nonetheless be current in Webb’s workplace months later.
The allegations in opposition to Webb lengthen past the marijuana odor, portray an image of misconduct and unprofessional habits. The declare about stealing scorching canine suggests a disregard for division insurance policies and moral requirements. Refusing to reply to 911 calls is a extreme accusation, indicating a failure to carry out vital duties that would endanger public security. The “theft of workplace” and falsification of timesheets and each day logs suggest deceit and misuse of taxpayer funds.
Whether or not Webb’s dismissal was based mostly on the marijuana odor, the stolen scorching canine, or the buildup of those allegations, the scenario underscores the significance of accountability and integrity in legislation enforcement. The controversy surrounding Webb’s habits has undoubtedly affected the New Miami Village neighborhood, emphasizing the necessity for belief and transparency in public officers.
Ultimatum Delivered: Take a Drug Take a look at or Face Penalties
On June 24, the New Miami city legal professional delivered a letter to Police Chief Harold Webb at his dwelling, informing him that he had till 5 p.m. the following day to take a drug check on the request of Mayor Jewell Hayes-Hensley or face “disciplinary motion.”
Chief Webb arrived on the testing website on June 25 however refused to offer a urine pattern in entrance of a nurse, describing the method as “belittling.” This refusal was a vital turning level within the scenario, additional complicating his place and elevating further issues about his conduct.
Following his refusal to finish the drug check, Webb texted the mayor, expressing his frustration and feeling of being unfairly focused. “You already know what, you win,” he wrote. “That is the third time you might have questioned my integrity.” This message highlighted the escalating rigidity between Webb and Mayor Hayes-Hensley, suggesting a breakdown in communication and belief.
The mayor responded decisively, instructing Webb to resign. “Sorry issues did not work out,” Hayes-Hensley wrote. “Please flip in all of your New Miami Village properties alongside along with your resignation and go away all entry to video cameras and computer systems turned over to me.”
This interplay highlights the higher confrontation between Webb and the village management, marked by claims of misbehavior, refusal to adjust to instructions and private animosities. Webb’s unwillingness to take the drug check, exacerbated by the opposite claims in opposition to him, lastly led to his dismissal. The occasion exhibits how troublesome it’s to uphold skilled requirements and accountability in legislation enforcement and emphasizes the significance of following clear procedures and treating misbehavior claims with respect from each other.
Fallout and Neighborhood Response
The dismissal of Police Chief Harold Webb from New Miami Village has triggered a wave of reactions and repercussions throughout the neighborhood. Residents, caught off guard by the sudden elimination of their police chief, are divided of their responses. Some categorical concern over the allegations leveled in opposition to Webb, significantly relating to the integrity and conduct anticipated of legislation enforcement officers. They emphasize the significance of accountability and transparency in native governance, calling for thorough investigations into the accusations made by Mayor Jewell Hayes-Hensley.
Conversely, others locally rally behind Chief Webb, questioning the timing and validity of the accusations. They argue that Webb’s contributions to public security and his tenure must be taken into consideration earlier than any hasty choices are made. Supporters of Webb spotlight his previous achievements and dedication to the village, urging for truthful remedy and due course of in resolving the controversy.
In the meantime, the broader implications of Webb’s dismissal lengthen past native sentiment. The incident has raised broader questions on management and governance inside New Miami Village. It underscores the challenges confronted by small communities in sustaining efficient legislation enforcement and making certain public belief. Transferring ahead, neighborhood leaders and residents alike are looking for readability and backbone, hoping to revive stability and confidence within the village’s administration amidst the continued controversy.
Backside Line
The case of Police Chief Harold Webb in New Miami Village serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and tasks concerned in native legislation enforcement. The allegations, starting from a peculiar marijuana odor to critical accusations of misconduct, have deeply impacted each the neighborhood and its management. Whereas some residents advocate for accountability and transparency in addressing these points, others stand by Webb, questioning the equity of his dismissal. Because the village navigates via this controversy, the necessity for clear protocols, mutual respect, and adherence to skilled requirements stays paramount. The end result of this case will probably form the longer term governance and public belief in New Miami Village, underscoring the significance of due course of and moral conduct in all ranges of public service.
WHAT IS LOUD WEED? READ ON…
