Public Safety Checkpoints Announced

The Mount Pleasant Police Department will be out in force again this year as part of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s annual “Sober or Slammer” campaign on drunk driving. Please use a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft, call a taxi, or use a designated driver. We want everyone to arrive alive! Safety checkpoints will be at the following locations: December 28, 2018 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. - SC 517 between Rifle Range Rd. and Hungryneck Blvd. 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. - Coleman Blvd near Pelzer Dr. December 31, 2018 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. - Longpoint Rd. near Egypt Rd. We always get asked as to why we publicize where and when we conduct public safety checkpoints. The United States Supreme Court issued guidelines in 1990 making it necessary.

Investigators Need Your Help

Detectives are asking for the public's help to identify the two women pictured above. The two are suspected of using stolen credit cards at numerous locations around Mount Pleasant.

Anyone with information about this person is asked to contact Detective T. Scott at 843-884-4176. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest. 

Longpoint Road Closure

At 9:00 a.m. today, Public Services will begin clearing the ditches along Longpoint Rd. This is a proactive action to help prevent flooding on Longpoint Rd. before heavy rains arrive this afternoon. The hope is this will only take about 2 hours. Due to this, traffic will be diverted through the Snowden community. The diversion will be at Whipple Rd. and at Snowden Rd. If possible, please use Hwy 17 and/or I-526 as alternate routes. If you do use Longpoint Rd., please use caution and reduce speeds as you drive through the Snowden community! We will update the road closure through our social media channels.

Victim Reports Package Theft

Mount Pleasant, S.C. - On December 17, 2018, an officer responded to Shoreside Way in reference to a package theft.  Video from the scene shows a white male leaving the victim’s front porch with a package and getting into an older model, black sedan.  

Anyone with information about this person is asked to contact Officer W. Parker at wparker@tompsc.com or 843-884-4176.  Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Charleston County Holiday Recycling Schedule

News Release

December 17, 2018 Release Number: 4295

MEDIA CONTACT

Shawn R. Smetana, Public Information Officer

Phone: (843) 958-4007/Fax: (843) 958-4004

Email: ssmetana@charlestoncounty.org

Recycle Christmas Trees and Go Green this Holiday Season

Tips from Environmental Management and the holiday recycling pickup schedule

Charleston County Environmental Management Holiday Schedule: Please note crews will be picking up through Saturday during the Holiday

• Curbside Recycling Collection
• There will be no residential curbside collection on Monday, December 24, Tuesday, December 25, or Tuesday, January 1. Collection will resume on Wednesday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 2 with holiday makeup days occurring on the day following your regularly scheduled pick up day. Crews will be working through Saturday. Please ensure that your cart is out for pickup before 7am.

• Environmental Management Department:
• Administrative Offices will be closed Monday, December 24 - Wednesday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday and will reopen on Thursday, December 27.
• Administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.

• Bees Ferry Landfill
• The landfill will be open normal hours on Monday, December 24 but will be closed on Tuesday, December 25.
• The landfill will resume normal hours on Wednesday, December 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The landfill will be closed on Tuesday, January 1
• The landfill will resume normal hours on Wednesday, January 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Staffed Convenience Centers
• Staffed convenience centers will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25, except the Bees Ferry Convenience Center, which will be open on Monday, December 24 from 7:30 a.m. – 4p.m. but closed on Tuesday, December 25.
• Staffed convenience centers will resume normal hours on Wednesday, December 26, except the Signal Point Road Convenience Center, which will open on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Staffed convenience centers will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.
• The Romney Street Convenience Center will remain temporarily closed; the recycling containers located outside the convenience center gate will still be available.

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department is asking citizens to go green this holiday season by recycling Christmas trees and by following other helpful tips to lessen the environmental impact. 

To recycle Christmas trees and greenery, follow these instructions:

• Remember to remove all decorations such as lights, tinsel, ornaments, etc.
• Some municipalities will pick them up curbside, or they can be taken to a convenience center. The trees picked up curbside are transported to the Bees Ferry Compost Facility to be ground and composted.
• Residents who drop off a tree at the Bees Ferry Compost Facility from January 2 - 9 will receive a free bag of compost (one bag per customer).

All paper, including gift wrapping, cardboard and other products (plastic bottles & containers, glass bottles & jars and aluminum & steel cans) can also be recycled through the curbside program and at the numerous drop-site locations and convenience centers located throughout the County. The convenience centers also accept used motor oil, used electronics (televisions, printers, monitors and computers only), household hazardous materials, batteries, paint, and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Note: Please flatten all cardboard boxes before placing in your recycling cart. If you have oversized boxes, please cut them down to 3 x 3 ft. to ensure they will fit in the recycling truck. Stack extra cardboard next to your recycling cart.

Below are other helpful tips you can follow for environmental awareness this holiday season:

Decorating:

• If you buy a live tree, recycle it!
• Buy LED lights to reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of holiday lights.
• Decorate your tree with household items such as strings of popcorn and berries instead of tinsel.

Gift Giving:

·         Recycle all paper including gift wrap, tissue paper, gift bags, boxes and cardboard.

·         Buy holiday cards printed on recycled paper. Wrap gifts in newspaper comics or wrapping paper made with recycled content.

·         Avoid purchasing over-packaged items. Drop off packaging material such as Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap at your local shipping store; they will gladly reuse it.

·         Remember to recycle outdated electronics.

Entertaining:

• Use reusable cups, plates and utensils.
• Use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones.
• Recycle at your holiday party.

Cooking:

• Compost food waste with yard clippings in a backyard home composting program.
• Purchase only as much food as needed and be sure to store and prepare properly to avoid food waste generation. Not only will this reduce waste, but it will make your food dollars go further.

For more information on recycling, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org.

2018 Christmas with the Police

We had an awesome day with some amazing kids today! We started out at Chick-fil-A North Mount Pleasant for lunch and then headed over to Wal-Mart to shop! Thank you to everyone who helped out with our Christmas with Police Event! Special thanks to Chick-fil-A, Walmart Mt Pleasant - Proprietors Pl, and Jeff Cook Real Estate!

Officer Wins Life-Saving Award

Congratulations to FTO Frederick who was given a Life-Saving Award by Chief Mixon, of The Town of Mount Pleasant Fire Department, for her part in helping a citizen in the Old Village last month! Ofc. Sanford (not pictured) also received this award for the same incident! Great work! We are proud of you!

We also want to congratulate Officer Lawson on his promotion to Police Officer First Class!

2018 Sober or Slammer Campaign

Law enforcement agencies all across the Lowcountry are out looking for impaired drivers! Please designate before you celebrate! Use a ride-hailing service like Lyft or Uber, call a taxi, or designate a friend to get you home safely this holiday season! We want you to arrive alive!

Safe Senior 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.

http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/safe-program.html

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Take a chilling plunge into the Atlantic Ocean to benefit Special Olympics South Carolina.  

In South Carolina, over 29,000 persons with intellectual disabilities benefit from the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics. The organization receives no federal funding and relies on private and corporate support as well as the efforts of hundreds of volunteers to provide services at no cost to the athletes and their families.

Come join the fun individually or as a team of friends, family, or

co-workers! The plunge is free, but for those who raise a minimum of $50 they receive a commemorative Plunge T-shirt and tickets for free food, drinks, and door prizes. Other gifts awarded as well, based on the amount of your donation or the money you raise.  Plunge party includes fun for all ages, plungers and spectators alike. Plunge merchandise will be available. All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics South Carolina.

Anyone interested in participating or supporting our efforts can visit:

https://www.classy.org/campaign/2019-isle-of-palms-polar-plunge/c212172

Christmas Parade Information

Brilliantly lit floats and community groups will march up West 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 spectacular Pyrotechnico fireworks show, immediately followed by the start of the parade at Mill St. traveling south and ending at the intersection of West Coleman Blvd. and Patriots Point Road.

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)

To help ensure we have a safe event, the Town of Mount Pleasant is requesting that drone pilots not fly over or along the parade route. Pilots are reminded that the Federal Aviation Authority requires a Part 107 Waiver if you are going to fly at night or fly over people. You can learn more about drone operations at https://www.faa.gov/uas/.

Sober or Slammer 2018

Yesterday the 9th Circuit Law Enforcement Network kicked off their Sober or Slammer campaign. Officers throughout the Lowcountry are looking to take impaired drivers off of the roadways of South Carolina! We urge you to use a designated driver, call a taxi, or use a ride-hailing service if you intend to drink this holiday season! We want you to enjoy the holidays and #ArriveAlive!

Traffic Collision

Mount Pleasant, S.C. – On November 15, 2018, at approximately 12:41 a.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to I-526 eastbound in reference to a head-on collision involving two vehicles.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a black Chevrolet Impala, driven by Crestina Rodrigues, was heading eastbound on I-526 when she was struck by a red Nissan Altima, driven by Christopher Thomas, who was driving the wrong direction in the eastbound lanes. Ms. Rodrigues died on scene as a result of her injuries. Mr. Thomas was transported to a local hospital in serious condition but died as a result of his injuries on November 19, 2018.

This collision is still under investigation by the Mount Pleasant Police Department’s Traffic Bureau. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information about this incident should contact Pfc. L. Lawson at 843-884-4176 or LLawson@tompsc.com.



Doughnut Eating Contest for Special Olympics

There will be a doughnut eating contest on Nov. 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Krispy Kreme on Savannah Highway! Police vs. media to see who can eat a dozen doughnuts the fastest! We will be raising money and awareness for Special Olympics!

Local law enforcement will be at Krispy Kreme from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on November 16th and 17th raising money for Special Olympics! Donations of $20.00 gets you a coupon for a free dozen of glazed doughnuts and a South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run T-Shirt!

Smartphone Application - Video

Did you know we have a smartphone app! Keep up with events, receive emergency notifications, report unsafe campus behavior, and more! Find us in your app store by searching for Mount Pleasant Police!

Food Pantry Donations

What:    James B. Edwards Snack Drive

When:   November 16, 2018

             10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Where: Target 1300 Long Grove Drive

Officers will be on hand to collect snack donations! We are looking for donations of wrapped, healthy snacks for their food pantry!

Citizen's Police Academy Graduation

Congratulations to Class 34 of our Citizen's Police Academy who graduated last night! They met one night a week, for ten weeks, learning about our agency and how we operate within the community. Class 35 will start in the spring of 2019. Please watch our social media channels as we will post when registration opens!

Safety Belts

Do you wear your safety belt? Even on short trips? Pfc. Bedard explains why it is important to buckle up every time!

To learn more about child safety seats, visit https://www.safekids.org/car-seat.

Armed Robbery - Updated!

Mount Pleasant, S.C. – Dustin J. Peurifoy, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was arrested by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office on November 5, 2018 for multiple incidents within their jurisdiction. Investigators with the Mount Pleasant Police Department were contacted and worked with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office to identify Dustin Peurifoy as the person responsible for the armed robbery at Harris Teeter on November 4, 2018. Investigators have active warrants for Armed Robbery and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime for Peurifoy.

Mount Pleasant, S.C. - On November 4, 2018, at approximately 1:07 p.m., officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Harris Teeter located at 1981 Riviera Drive. The suspect approached the pharmacy where he showed the clerk he had a weapon in his waistband. He then left the scene with an undisclosed amount of medicine. 

The suspect is described as a white male who is approximately between 20 to 30 years old. He is approximately 5’10” in height and weighs approximately 160 to 170lbs.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Ivey at 843-856-3030 or at divey@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest. 

This case is still under investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available. 

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 cart use:

*A person operating a golf cart must be at least sixteen years of age and have a valid driver’s license.

*A golf cart may only be operated during daylight hours and must be within four miles of the address on the registration certificate.

*The golf cart must have a registration certificate from the DMV and have liability insurance.

*During daylight hours a permitted golf cart may operate along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.

*During daylight hours a permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of a point of ingress and egress to a gated community and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.

If you need a Department of Motor Vehicles Golf Cart Permit Registration Form: http://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Golf-Cart

National Drug Take Back Day

Join us October 27, 2018 for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day! We will be out at Wal-Mart in Wando Crossing, Tidewater Pharmacy on Johnnie Dodds Blvd. and out at Somerby Assisted Living from 10a until 2p. We cannot accept syringes, liquids, inhalers, or ointments. We also have a take-back box in the lobby of our headquarters at Town Hall. The lobby is open 24/7!

Boone Hall

Last weekend there was a 4 car collision 200 yards south of the controlled traffic at Boone Hall that tied up the roadway for some time. The wreck was at 11:13 a.m. and immediately responded to by one of the officers working the Boone Hall event. Being a four-car collision, with two of the vehicles having to be towed, both lanes were blocked for a period of time while the collision was cleared. This disruption caused major delays but after a two hour period traffic flow was restored but heavy. To further improve our traffic safety efforts, the Mount Pleasant Police Department will stage additional resources in the area of Highway 17 near Boone Hall for this weekend’s events at Boone Hall. Officers and tow trucks will be staged north and south of Boone Hall on Highway 17 to quickly respond to a collision or incident that may cause traffic congestion. Additional officers will also be staged to monitor alternative routes such as Rifle Range Rd., Six Mile Rd., and Hamlin Rd. School is out Friday and we expect a large crowd depending on the weather. We ask that drivers use caution in all areas but especially on Highway 17 between Brickyard Plantation and Longpoint Rd. For those traveling Highway 17 southbound, if you are not attending Boone Hall, stay in the left two lanes to bypass the event. For those traveling Highway 17 northbound, if you are not attending the events, stay to the right to bypass the event. Please drive with due care and watch for traffic stopped in front of you. We ask that citizens download our smartphone app to receive emergency notifications and to follow us on Twitter for breaking traffic updates. Our Twitter handle is @mountpleasantpd.

A Memorable Visit

Today we had the absolute honor of hosting Bill & Tonya Kee at Town Hall! Bill is the brother of the only officer we have lost in the line of duty, Vaughn Kee. He and his wife have not visited since Vaughn's death in 1985. Officers arranged for the Kees to meet Mayor Haynie and Deputy Chief Gragg, to tour our headquarters and to visit the memorial marker placed near the scene where Vaughn Kee lost his life.

Sergeant Semlitsch from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office also stopped by to talk with the Kees as he organizes the Lowcountry Enforcers hockey team. They honor fallen law enforcement officers by wearing jerseys with their name on the back and their agency's patch!

It was a somber, emotional moment as officers gathered and prayed near the marker with the Kees!

We want to thank Bill and Tonya for sharing their time with us! It was an event we will always remember!

"Blessed are the peacemakers..."