Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:
___
Sept. 24
The Post and Courier of Charleston on efforts to reform the North Charleston Police Department:
North Charleston officials have demonstrated a commitment to reforming the city’s police department well beyond the scope of a federal Justice Department intervention that was regrettably and unwisely ended last week before revealing its conclusions.
City residents can take comfort in the fact that the long overdue work of improving police practices and preventing tragedies like the death of Walter Scott at the hands of then-officer Michael Slager in 2015 will continue.
But the Justice Department decision is nonetheless disappointing, not to mention a waste of months of research and investigation that could yield valuable insights into the North Charleston police force. At the very least, federal officials should release what information they have gathered so far.
President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have made it clear that the current administration will prioritize fighting violent crime over investigating police practices, a departure in some ways from Mr. Trump’s predecessor.
There’s no reason that approach shouldn’t be welcome in North Charleston, where at least 30 homicides have shaken the city so far this year. With more than three months to go in 2017, the city could set a new deadly record over last year, when it recorded 32 homicides.
Justice Department officials have said that their mission of helping local police departments remains unchanged. If so, there should be no reason why federal officials can’t continue to help police departments learn to fight crime in ways that respect the civil rights of the residents they are sworn to protect.
The Justice Department’s involvement was no example of heavy-handed government overreach. North Charleston invited the Justice Department to conduct its review as part of a voluntary and warranted reaction to Mr. Scott’s death.
Fortunately, the city’s response in the days, weeks and months following that horrific incident has been overwhelmingly positive.
Mr. Slager was swiftly charged with murder and dismissed from duty. His state murder trial ended in a hung jury last year, but he pleaded guilty in May to federal civil rights charges. His sentence is expected to be announced soon. The severity of the crime merits severe punishment. Mr. Scott, who was pulled over for a broken brake light, briefly fought with Officer Slager, then was shot five times in the back as he attempted to run away.
In the wake of that tragic event, North Charleston sought the insight of community members in the form of a citizen police review group. A community meeting on policing was held in North Charleston as recently as Sept. 21. And improvements in policing should continue to be made as warranted. North Charleston residents deserve nothing less.
The Justice Department must demonstrate that its stated commitment to aiding the North Charleston Police Department extends not just to fighting crime but to fighting ineffective and risky - or even deadly - policing. Part of that commitment should involve the release of any information already compiled on the police department.
And North Charleston officials should continue striving to build a safer city for all residents, with or without Justice Department assistance.
Online: https://www.postandcourier.com/
___
Sept. 19
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach on a disaster relief trailer with showers and laundry machines:
The Men’s Ministry of Living Water Baptist Church in Longs is outfitting a disaster relief trailer with six showers and three washers and driers that can be towed to wherever a hurricane may strike.
“What a blessing to clean up when you’ve been mucking out your house,” said Ed Smolarsky, of Little River. When completed, the trailer will be the second such unit of the Waccamaw Baptist Association. Throughout South Carolina, Southern Baptist associations have five showers/laundry units, 12 with only showers and three with washers and driers.
Typically, the trailers are towed to a site, such as a church parking lot, with sewer and water connections similar to those found in mobile home campgrounds. Tim Carter, director of the Men’s Ministry, hopes to have the trailer outfitted and ready in October. Carter is a trustee and charter member of Living Water, a 1,000-member congregation on S.C. 9. LWBC was founded 28 years ago by Senior Pastor Lebron Crisp.
The Men’s Ministry recently constructed a ramp for the veteran’s residence at North Strand Housing Shelter, one of 20 to 30 built over recent years. Carter has directed the Men’s Ministry for about five years, and some ramps were built prior to that. In the past, men with building skills rebuilt churches perhaps damaged in a fire, and did new construction such as adding a fellowship hall.
In fact, Crisp said, original parts of the LWBC complex were constructed by building trades folks from other Baptist churches. Prior to becoming a minister, Crisp had experience in building and has helped on ramp projects. He noted that some of the LWBC construction was done at low cost per square foot, with the church buying the materials.
The S.C. Baptist Convention, like other Southern Baptist conventions, has extensive disaster relief services, including assessment teams, chaplains to help survivors move toward recovery, child care, feeding units that prepare and serve meals at disaster sites, medical teams and a variety of recovery services. These include Ash-Out in fire responses, Mud-Out in flood responses, Chainsaw to remove damaged trees and limbs, Rebuild, which does a variety of construction, and Sheltering and Shower/Laundry units such as the one being outfitted at the edge of the LWBC soccer fields.
“It squeezes your heart to see what people are trying to live in while trying to recover. We need a revival in disaster relief,” Smolarsky said, showing photos of mold-infested homes in Nichols, which suffered massive flooding after Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. Smolarsky worked at the U.S. Capitol as a mechanical engineer and was state director for Rebuild.
Carter and Smolarsky, like others involved in disaster relief, are watching the latest big storm, Maria, on the same track as Irma, which tore across the Caribbean. Recovery from Irma, and Harvey in Texas, will “go on for months and months,” Carter said.
Sue Harmon, operations manager for Disaster Relief South Carolina in Columbia, said 19 volunteers are in Texas, on replacement teams for preparing 5,000 meals a day. The Baptist relief operation partners with both the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. When the Red Cross reports serving so many meals at a disaster site, it’s Southern Baptists preparing, serving and cleaning up. The Red Cross typically furnishes the food.
Contact information:
For information about the Men’s Ministry of Living Water Baptist Church, contact the church, 1569 Hwy. 9 E., Longs, SC 29568. Phone: 843-399-5833
Those interested in the ministry need not be a member of LWBC, or any church, “as long as you have a heart for helping,” director Tim Carter said.
Online: https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/
___
Sept. 21
The Times & Democrat of Orangeburg on how roads are more dangerous than storms:
As the focus remains on major disasters and the threat to life from hurricanes, the daily reality of loss of life greater than in storms continues on the highways.
Nowhere is the toll higher than in South Carolina. While the headlines from a weekend ago were on recovery and cleanup from Hurricane Irma here and elsewhere, seven more people died on this state’s roads.
As of Sept. 10, 673 people have been killed on South Carolina highways. Thankfully, that is down from the 723 highway deaths during the same period in 2016. But reality is that is still nearly two people a day dying in vehicle crashes, or accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
. 466 motor vehicle occupants have died in 2017.
. 92 pedestrians have died compared to 101 in 2016.
. 82 motorcyclists have died compared to 108 in 2016.
. 13 bicyclists have died compared to 19 in 2016.
Some of these fatalities make headlines. Many do not - and certainly not beyond the communities in which these people lived. It is as if we accept highway deaths as long as they do not involve someone we know or love.
And we do not take enough precaution - as would be done when a big storm threatens - to ensure safety.
Of the 466 killed in vehicle crashes so far in 2017, 223 were not wearing seat belts. Considering statistics showing that being belted greatly enhances the odds of surviving a crash, about half of those killed could be alive today. Many others not wearing seat belts could have avoided serious injury by doing so.
While wearing safety belts is the law, there remain adults who consider the mandate an intrusion on personal freedom. Their argument holds no water, but at very minimum all adults should be responsible in ensuring young people’s lives are protected according to law and logic.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 13. It does not have to be that way.
AAA Carolinas advises that parents and guardians should adhere to the following South Carolina laws regarding child passenger safety:
. Children under the age of 2 or weighing less than 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child safety seat.
. Children of age 2 or weighing between 20 and 40 pounds must be in a forward-facing child safety seat.
. Children over age 4 and weighing 40 to 80 pounds must be in a belt-positioning booster seat. This booster seat must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
. Any child of at least 8 years of age or 57 inches tall is permitted to use an adult safety belt if the belt fits across the child’s thighs and hips, the shoulder belt crosses the center of the child’s chest and the child is able to sit with his or her back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion with knees bent over the seat edge.
Parents and guardians are also encouraged to review the following five common car seat mistakes to try to prevent them going forward:
. Moving your child out of a booster seat too soon.
. Not installing the car seat tightly enough.
. Harness straps are too loose.
. Retainer clip is too low.
. Turning your child forward-facing too soon.
AAA President Dave Parsons is right: “It is our responsibility as parents and guardians to ensure the safety of our children in vehicles.”
Wear seat belts to ensure safety and set the right example. Be sure children are buckled up. The lives you save may be yours and those of people you love.
Online: https://thetandd.com/
Please read our comment policy before commenting.