Sunday, December 31, 2017

Weather Advisory






The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Charleston County between 3am and 9am Monday. 

Very cold wind chills are expected! Expect wind chills of 10 to 15 degrees above zero.

In addition, Town of Mount Pleasant officials recommend several actions for residents to take to prepare their properties for the inclement weather.

“Water has a unique property and expands when it freezes,” said Edward Weston, Mount Pleasant Facilities and Grounds Division Chief. “We advise that you protect pipes that are exposed to cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets."

"Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing," Weston said. "During cold periods, staff will winterize vulnerable fixtures such as water fountains at Town facilities. Residents should bring drinking water for themselves and their furry friends when out enjoying our facilities, during cold snaps."

Billy Crocker, Mount Pleasant Infrastructure Maintenance Division Chief, recommends that residents and businesses turn off and winterize sprinkler systems to prevent creating icy spots on the roadway. These wet areas can be difficult to see and can create unintended hazards to traveling motorists. The freezing water can also speed up damage to the pavement, creating potholes.

Weston and Crocker suggested adopting the following tips from the American Red Cross:

Preventing Frozen Pipes - Winterizing 

• Before the onset of cold weather, prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes by following these recommendations:

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.

• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.

• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.

During Cold Weather, Take Preventative Action 

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much costlier repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes 

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Future Protection 

• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.

• Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home is remodeled.

• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.

• For more information, please contact a licensed plumber or building professional.


Monday, December 11, 2017

Runaway Juvenile


December 12, 2017 Update - Taylor has been located and is safe!
On December 10, 2017 13 year old Taylor Planty was reported as a runaway by her mother. Taylor was supposed to attend the Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade but she did not return home. Taylor is a white female and was last seen wearing grey leggings, black boots, a pink Nash Orthodontics shirt, and a peach colored sweater. Taylor may be heading to the Camden, SC area. 

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Taylor Planty, please contact Detective Ivey at 843-856-3030 or divey@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com

Suspicious Person Update




December 11, 2017 Update – The investigation into the suspicious person call at Wando High School on December 7, 2017 led to the identification of the suspicious person and ultimately the location of the subject in Charleston near MUSC.  After review of video evidence and interviews of the original complainant and subject it was determined that no weapons had been brought onto the Wando campus nor had any threats been made.

 The Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the faculty, staff, and students at Wando High School for their calm, quick response and to the parents for their patience while we conducted a thorough investigation into this situation which had been reported as potentially volatile. We would also like to thank the community for their outpouring of support on social media during, and after, our response. Everyone came together as a community during this stressful call which we are extremely thankful for!






Mount Pleasant, South Carolina – On December 7, 2017, at approximately 12:50 officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to the campus of Wando High School in reference to a suspicious activity call.

The complainant saw a Snapchat video of an individual possibly flashing gang signs while at Wando High School. The complainant told a School Resource Officer that the individual was armed and there to possibly harm her son. Wando High School and surrounding schools were placed on lock down while officers searched the Wando campus for the individual. Investigators located the individual in Charleston near the Medical University of South Carolina.

This incident is still under investigation.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Christmas Parade December 10th

 
 
 
Brilliantly lit floats and community groups will march down Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade sets sail to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a fireworks show (now moved to the Town Hall football field to be visible from the new viewing area on W. Coleman Blvd.) then immediately followed by the start of the parade at Mill St. traveling south and ending at the intersection of Coleman Blvd. and Patriots Point Rd.

Coleman Boulevard Road Closure Schedule:
Whilden St. to Pherigo St. closes at 4:00 p.m. for the lineup
Whilden St. to Patriots Point Rd. closes at 5:00 p.m.
Ravenel Bridge off-ramp onto Coleman Blvd. closes at 5:00 (all traffic diverted to Highway 17)
Patriots Point Rd. from Coleman Blvd. to Harry Hallman Blvd. closes at 5:00 (all Patriots Point and hotel/golf course traffic will divert onto Harry Hallman)

The entire parade route is a No Drone Zone in the interest of public safety; please leave your drones home!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

SCAM ALERT!!! The letter seen in this post is a copy of an actual letter received by one of our residents. The letter details an attempt to blackmail someone into paying $3500 in bitcoins. This is a scam that has been circulating throughout the globe in some form or another for some time now. If you have received a letter like this in the mail DO NOT SEND MONEY! You can report such suspicious activity to the United Stated Postal Inspectors at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Armed Robbery Arrest

 
 
Mount Pleasant, SC – On November 26, 2017 officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department arrested Christian James Lose and charged him with three counts of Armed Robbery stemming from the armed robberies at CVS on South Shelmore, Rite Aid on Highway 17, and the BP Station on Coleman Blvd. 
 
Lose was taken into custody at 10:50 pm after the vehicle he was operating was observed coming into Mount Pleasant from the Ravenel Bridge.  Mr. Lose was taken into custody without incident.
 
The Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to thank everyone who provided information about these robberies and to the media for helping get this information out to the community which aided in the identification and arrest of Lose. 

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Person of Interest


The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the man pictured above. He may have information pertaining to an armed robbery that occurred this morning at 1799 Highway 17 North (Rite Aid). 

If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Goode or Detective Buono at 843-884-4176. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers issues rewards of up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.  

Armed Robbery




The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect in an armed robbery that occurred on November 26, 2017 at 1799 Highway 17 North (Rite Aide).

The suspect entered the store at approximately 10:37 a.m. wearing jeans, a black jacket, a black hat, and dark colored shoes. He is described as a white male with blue or grey eyes and brown side burns. The suspect was wearing a mask that covered the bottom half of his face during the robbery. 

This suspect may also have been involved in the armed robberies at CVS on South Shelmore on November 24, 2017 and at the BP Station on Coleman Blvd. on November 26, 2017.
          
If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Goode or Detective Buono at 843-884-4176. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers issues rewards of up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest. 

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Coat & Blanket Drive




We will be at Target on Long Grove Drive collecting new and gently used coats/blankets. Coats can be for children or adults. All donations will go to the Seacoast Dreamcenter for distribution.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Attempted Murder Arrest

Julius Washington
Evelina Street, Mount Pleasant
10/10/1967
 
 
 
Mount Pleasant, SC – On October 28, 2017 officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to McAlister’s Deli on Longpoint Road in reference to an assault. The suspect, Julius Washington, stayed after his shift to get a pay stub. When the manager told him that she did not have it, Julius Washington assaulted the victim and threw her to the ground while threatening to kill her. This assault caused multiple injuries. The suspect then took money from the safe before leaving the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and has since been released.

Julius Washington was arrested on October 30, 2017 and charged with Attempted Murder as well as Strong Armed Robbery.


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Burglary Arrest






Mount Pleasant, SC – On October 25, 2017, at approximately 4:38 a.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Finz Bar and Grill on Coleman Blvd. in reference to a burglary alarm. Upon arrival, an officer observed a vehicle that was backed next to a storage building. The officer knocked on the wall of the building and announced his presence. When a person answered back, the officer had them exit the building and took them into custody without incident. On the floor of the storage shed officers found frozen crab legs, prime rib, pulled pork, and other various food items. Two sets of bolt cutters and a cut lock were found outside of the storage building.

Twylia R. Brafford, of North Charleston, was arrested and charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Possession of Burglary Tools. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

 

Monday, October 23, 2017

Weekly Collision Statistics



Following too closely still tops the list! Please leave enough space between you and the car in front of you! #ArriveAlive

Friday, October 13, 2017

Coleman Blvd. Traffic Lane Shifts Slated Oct. 15

 
 
 
 
 
 
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (October 13, 2017) - The Town of Mount Pleasant will be installing storm drainage across Coleman Boulevard beginning Sunday, October 15, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. There will be lane shifts between Mill Street and Live Oak Drive as well as in the vicinity of Moultrie Plaza.
The driving public should use extra caution in these areas.
“Let ‘em work, let ‘em live”.
Questions: Contact Ed Barbee at ebarbee@tompsc.com or call (843) 640-2422.


Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Criminal Domestic Violence Public Service Announcement

 
 
 

Every 9 seconds a victim is battered in the United States during a domestic violence situation. We want to let victims know that you are not alone! If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, please call 843-884-4176 and ask to speak to one of our Victim Advocates. In an emergency situation we ask that you call 911 immediately. Together we can stop the cycle of violence!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

S.A.F.E. Program



The Town of Mount Pleasant is offering a Senior Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) program to assist senior citizens and those with special needs.  S.A.F.E. is a voluntary program for eligible citizens living in the town who may not have family or friends nearby who can check on them on a regular basis. The S.A.F.E. program allows the police and fire departments to document names of eligible citizens, where they reside, important contact information, and medical information for use during emergency responses. Police personnel may be assigned to check on these citizens to see if they require any special assistance.

Emergency contact information is vital in the event a citizen becomes ill and must be transported to the hospital. The designated contact person can be notified so that important medical information can be retrieved.


Who Is This For?

Senior citizens age 60 and older
Those who are 55 and retired
Any disabled citizen

To register for this service, follow the link below. Once we have your information, a representative of the department will contact you regarding your enrollment.

S.A.F.E. Program Registration

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Bridge to Recovery Walk



The Lowcountry Recovery Coalition has scheduled a "Bridge to Recovery" Walk on September 28, 2017 at 6pm. Join us as we walk to the Ravenel Bridge in support of National Recovery Month. #publicservicematters

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Trash, Vegetative Debris Collection Begin



MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (September 13, 2017) - The Public Services Department is continuing to conduct damage assessments of Town infrastructure. We are also beginning cleanup and repair efforts throughout the Town. We are starting to clean and line Town recreation facilities in order to allow our residents to return to a sense of normalcy.

The Town will be collecting Garbage (Town issued trash can) on the following schedule:

Normal Monday Route: Will be collected Wednesday Sept 13
Normal Tuesday Route: Will be collected Thursday Sept 14
Normal Wednesday Route: Will be collected Friday Sept 15
Normal Thursday Route: Will be collected Saturday Sept 16
Normal Garbage routes will resume on Monday Sept 18.

Due to the expected volume of vegetative debris following the storm, the Town will be collecting vegetative debris on the following schedule:

Normal Monday Route: Will be started on Wednesday Sept 13 and will continue until the entire route has been completed once.
Normal Tuesday Route: Will be started when the entire Monday route has been collected once
Normal Wednesday Route: Will be started when the entire Tuesday route has been collected once
Normal Thursday Route: Will be started when the entire Wednesday route has been collected once

Additional information:
If you put out vegetative debris after we have collected your route the first time, we will collect it on the second pass, once all routes have been collected once.

No Trash (miscellaneous items other than vegetative debris) will be collected until we finish collecting the vegetative debris from the storm.

We ask for your patience during the recovery process. Updates will be provided as required.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Services Department at (843) 849-2022

UPDATE: Two-Day Delay for Trash, Garbage, Recycling Pick Up


Two-Day Delay for Trash, Garbage, Recycling Pick Up

By Martine Wolfe-Miller, Mount Pleasant Communications Manager
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (September 13, 2017) - In the aftermath of the recent  storm, the trash and 
garbage collection schedule is as follows:
  • Monday’s route will be collected on Wednesday
  • Tuesday’s route will be collected on Thursday
  • Wednesday’s route will be collected on Friday
  • Thursday’s route will be collected on Saturday
Please note that the recycling schedule is handled by the Charleston County Recycling and is on a
two-day schedule as well. 
  • Monday’s route will be collected on Wednesday
  • Tuesday’s route will be collected on Thursday
  • Wednesday’s route will be collected on Friday
  • Thursday’s route will be collected on Saturday

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Two-Day Delay for Trash, Garbage Pick Up



By Martine Wolfe-Miller, Mount Pleasant Communications Manager
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (September 12, 2017) - In the aftermath of the recent  storm, the trash and garbage collection schedule is as follows:
  • Monday’s route will be collected on Wednesday
  • Tuesday’s route will be collected on Thursday
  • Wednesday’s route will be collected on Friday
  • Thursday’s route will be collected on Saturday
Please note that Charleston County's recycling services will be suspended the week of September 11 until further notice. 

Monday, September 11, 2017

Town, County Launch New Damage Assessment Tool for Residents





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Martine Wolfe-Miller, Town of Mount Pleasant Communications Manager
www.tompsc.com
(843) 884-8517

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (September 11, 2017) – Town of Mount Pleasant officials are beginning to evaluate the impacts caused by severe weather associated with Hurricane Irma. The Town is working closely with Charleston County Emergency Management personnel to assess damage caused by flooding or winds.

Impacted citizens and business owners are encouraged to report property damage using the 
County’s online Citizen Damage Report Tool using this link HERE. This information will be made available to Town officials.

“Local damage assessment is the first step in evaluating the need for any potential assistance after a disaster,” said Town Administrator Eric DeMoura. “This online tool will inform our field inspectors where damage has occurred and it will allow us to collect data and process damage assessment more quickly.” 

Town Hall offices will reopen at 11:00 on Tuesday, September 12th to provide necessary services to our citizens post storm.

Road Closures



Below is the current list of closed roadways in the Town of Mount Pleasant:


Longpoint Rd. between Needlerush and Whipple

Park Ave.


What to do When Traffic Signals are not Working


Bridges Now in Code Red Status


The bridges are now in code red status.

Hurricane Irma September 11, 2017 8am Update



KEY MESSAGES:

1. There is the danger of life-threatening storm surge flooding
along portions of the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina,
where a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect.

2. Irma will continue to bring life-threatening wind impacts to much
of central and north Florida, with hurricane-force winds near the
center.  Also, Irma is a large hurricane, and hurricane-force wind
gusts and sustained tropical-storm force winds extend far from the
center. Wind hazards from Irma will continue to spread northward
through Georgia and into portions of Alabama, Tennessee, South
Carolina, and North Carolina.

3. Irma continues to produce very heavy rain and inland flooding
across much of the northern peninsula and eastern panhandle of
Florida and southern Georgia, which is quickly spreading to the rest
of the southeast United States.  Intense rainfall rates of 2 inches
or more per hour is leading to flash flooding and rapid rises on
creeks, streams, and rivers. Significant river flooding is likely
over the next five days in the Florida peninsula and southern
Georgia, where average rainfall totals of 8 to 15 inches are
expected.  Significant river flooding is possible beginning Monday
and Tuesday in much of central Georgia and southern South Carolina
where average rainfall of 3 to 6 inches and isolated 10 inch amounts
are expected. Portions of these states within the southern
Appalachians will be especially vulnerable to flash flooding.
Farther north and west, Irma is expected to produce average amounts
of 2 to 4 inches in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee,
northern South Carolina and western North Carolina, where isolated
higher amounts and local flooding may occur.

Featured Post

Golf Cart Laws

To help keep everyone safe, the Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to remind everyone of the South Carolina laws governing golf...