MARTINS FERRY — A man who sought and received permission to use the city’s Recreation Center to host youth basketball sessions is now seeking the investigation and suspension of two officers on the police force.

At a June 20 Martins Ferry City Council meeting, resident Greg Roby asked why the gate to the basketball courts at City Park was locked and if it could be unlocked. Mayor John Davies and Service/Safety Director Andy Sutak responded that the courts were closed for safety reasons due to damaged equipment. They added that the youths who use the courts tend to toss garbage around the park and have painted graffiti on some of the facilities there.

As a result, according to Davies, Roby asked to host basketball games and teach skills at the rec center. Davies said Roby was a Martins Ferry High School basketball player and wrestler in his youth. He added that Roby has done “a lot of good things,” including having the youngsters who are playing basketball pick up trash at the adjacent park. He also implemented an 8:30 p.m. curfew, and Davies said kids are no longer using the park later at night than that.

Davies noted, however, that city police were contacted about an incident in which one female juvenile apparently threw a rock at another female juvenile at the park. Roby was present at the time and recorded video of two officers responding to the incident. He shared that video on Facebook — where he is identified as “Gregorio Watchman” in a profile that says his work is “Messenger at Mastermind Manifesto” and that he “Studied at Kingdom of God” — and made numerous posts urging people to attend the council meeting on Wednesday.

Roby again visited a council meeting Wednesday, bringing a crowd of about 30 supporters with him. He was the first to speak when the public forum portion of the meeting began. He told council that he came to ask for the immediate investigation of police Officers John Young and Zach Cole, who responded to the incident between juveniles. He claimed the officers committed multiple infractions while handling the incident.

Roby said he already had spoken to Police Chief Jerry Murphy about the matter but that he was denied access to public records because he, himself, is under investigation by the police. He claimed this investigation is related to his efforts to help local youth and curb negative behaviors at the park.

“I believe I’m being singled out because, why is there an investigation on me, after I’ve been reporting them the way that they were trying to harass these kids,” Roby said.

He further claimed he is being investigated for gambling with children because he plays a dice game with them call “The Blessings Game” and often gives his own money to children and their parents.

“Aren’t we here to help these kids?” he continued. “Aren’t we here to make things better? Am I not doing something?

“I can handle the investigation, but what I want is a full investigation on Officer Young, full on Cole, and I am asking for at least a suspension on him (gesturing to Young), and I’m asking for Cole to be removed because he’s attacking constantly.”

Roby also claimed that the violations he alleged Cole and Young committed involved racial bias.

Many in the crowd applauded Roby for his remarks. When he asked if the number of police calls to the park had declined since he had been working with the youth, city leaders said they did not have statistics on hand that would answer that question; however, Murphy said he would get that information for Roby today.

Council President Kristine Davis responded to Roby.

“I want to tell you, council doesn’t have direct ability to change anything. … Council doesn’t have any control over the officers directly,” she said, noting that Murphy and Sutak supervise the department. “We don’t hire, we don’t fire, we don’t discipline. You know, we don’t have legal authority for that.”

A few other residents spoke in support of Roby. Among them was Robert Allison, who said he was there when the incident at the park occurred. He also stressed that his son wants to participate in Roby’s activities and that youngsters feel that they can talk to Roby.

Jennifer Vickers, a former church youth director, said she supported Roby and felt some officers were taking advantage of some children who do not have adult supervision at the park. A Wheeling woman who said she is a licensed therapist and social worker who works with youth in Belmont and Monroe counties also said she felt those children were being targeted.

In addition to hearing from the public, council heard the first reading of a resolution to adopt budget appropriations that must be submitted to the Belmont County auditor by 4 p.m. Friday. With only four members present, council lacked the votes to suspend the rules requiring three readings of legislation before it can be voted on. As a result, a special meeting was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today in the council chamber, where a second reading will be held.

Council also heard the first reading of an ordinance to increase the hourly pay rate of certain emergency medical service employees. Council did approve an amendment to that ordinance so that it no longer states that the change applies to “part-time” employees and instead states that it applies to “non-contractual” employees.

Council also voted to excuse absent members James Schramm and Robert Hunker.