Security concerns — Hospital increases security measures amid safety concerns

Weston County Health Services is implementing enhanced security measures across its facilities in response to incidents involving former Newcastle police officer Nicholas Kaminski and concerns related to his anticipated release from custody.

During the June 18 meeting of the Weston County Hospital District board of trustees, interim CEO Pat Ryan said the health system plans to implement lockdown procedures, restrict visitor entrances at Weston County Manor and the hospital, post signage and increase staffing at entry points “very shortly as he is released.”

“We’ve enhanced some of our cameras that we have here locally, and we’ve installed additional panic buttons,” Ryan told trustees.

Ryan also said the organization sought no-trespass orders covering the hospital, home health offices, the Weston County Newcastle Clinic and the Weston County Upton Clinic. She told the News Letter Journal on June 22 that the orders have been served and that WCHS consulted with law enforcement or legal counsel before implementing the security plan.

The measures were prompted by two incidents involving Kaminski that involved the health system’s campus, Ryan confirmed.

As the NLJ previously reported, Kaminski faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from alleged incidents involving a former girlfriend that occurred between July 2025 and May 2026. Court records allege one confrontation occurred at WCHS on May 10 and that Kaminski later appeared near the hospital during a separate incident later that month that led to a stalking charge. The charges remain allegations, and Kaminski is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Ryan told the NLJ that the duration of the enhanced security measures will depend in part on guidance from local law enforcement.

“We will seek the police chief’s and sheriff’s guidance as to how long the enhanced security measures will remain in place,” she said. “The main changes affecting outpatients, visitors and employees are restricted points of entrance.”

Weston County Sheriff Bryan Colvard did not respond to a request for comment. Newcastle Police Chief Derek Thompson said the case has been transferred out of his agency because of a conflict of interest.

“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me or any representative of NPD to comment on any matters surrounding this case,” Thompson said.

Ryan told the NLJ that protecting patients, residents, visitors and staff remains the organization’s top priority. 

“In today’s world, we all need to be more vigilant as to our surroundings. WCHS takes the safety of our staff, residents, patients and visitors very seriously,” she said. “We will remain in close contact with law enforcement.”

Workplace violence tracked

Weston County Health Services reported six incidents involving threats, violent behavior or workplace altercations during the first half of 2026, according to information presented to the Weston County Hospital District board of trustees on June 18.

The incidents included three visitor-on-employee altercations and three patient-on-employee altercations. Five of the six incidents involved physical contact.

The June report did not indicate whether any of the incidents were related to the criminal case involving former Newcastle police officer Nicholas Kaminski.

Interim CEO Pat Ryan told the News Letter Journal that the measures she announced at the meeting as a response to the Kaminski case are “additive” compared with the security upgrades and planning WCHS had been pursuing since January, but she declined to provide more detail.

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