Community Outreach

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Ritchie and several officers attended the White Hall Terrace Community Black and White Banquet on Saturday. The theme of the event was "Bringing the Community Together". Chief Ritchie spoke to the attendees about the importance of community policing and working together in a partnership to solve issues. We want to thank the White Hall Community for inviting us to this event. The support we have from our community is overwhelming!

Employee of the Month

On May 5, 2015 Pfc. Howard was dispatched to a home regarding a man that had collapsed and stopped breathing. When Pfc. Howard arrived on scene she noted that the man had no pulse and was not responding. She performed CPR until EMS arrived on scene and took over the life saving efforts. The patient did regain consciousness before he was transported to a local hospital. Pfc. Howard’s quick action saved the gentleman’s life. She was recognized on June 9th, 2015 during the Town Council meeting.

Golf Cart Laws

 

 

 

 

Summer is in full swing so we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the golf cart laws for the State of South Carolina:

 

• The driver must be at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license.

 

• Golf Cart must be insured.

 

• Must be registered with the DMV, and have permit.

 

• Operate on a secondary road where posted speed limit is

35mph or less and within 4 miles of registered address.

 

• Can only cross a primary road to get to another secondary

road.

 

• Can only operate during daylight hours, regardless of whether

or not the Golf Cart has lights installed.

 



Body Worn Cameras Purchased

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The Mount Pleasant Police Department has purchased 150 Vievu LE3 cameras to equip every police officer with body worn cameras.   150 Vievu LE3 cameras were delivered on Friday June 5, 2015 to the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Each officer will be assigned a body camera as part of their issued duty equipment. “We feel that having a camera on every officer will be beneficial to our department and the community as a whole,” says Inspector Chip Googe. “The Vievu camera will help strengthen cases for prosecution as well as show the officers’ and  suspects’ actions during critical incidents.” Inspector Googe points out that body cameras will not be a fix for every situation but will provide more pieces of information about an incident. Inspector Googe states that they have had a policy for body worn cameras since February of 2014. The Bicycle Patrol and K-9 Units have been wearing body worn cameras since that time.   “The Mount Pleasant Police Department enjoys a strong relationship with our community,” says Chief Carl Ritchie. “Our philosophy has always embraced the community policing concept. This is one more step that strengthens the mutual trust we have with our citizens and offers another layer of transparency to the community we serve.” Chief Ritchie further states that this tool will help show more of the good deeds that officers already do while out on patrol. The recent car fire at Vickery’s where Cpl. Willis is seen pulling a man to   safety is a good example of this. The in car camera captured this incident but had it occurred outside of its view the body worn camera would have provided the details.   “I would like to congratulate the Mount Pleasant Police Department for its proactive stance on the use of body cameras,” say Mayor Linda Page. “We are now the first   municipality in South Carolina able to outfit every police officer with a body camera. Our police department is already heavily integrated within the fabric of the community with a wide array of youth programs and community engagement initiatives. We welcome the body cameras as another tool to promote our core values of professional excellence, trust, honesty and transparency, fairness, respect and accountability.”   Four supervisors will attend a train the trainer class provided by Vievu on June 11th. This training will allow them to teach all other officers in the proper use of the body worn cameras. The current system used to store video from car mounted cameras will also be used to house videos from the body worn cameras. The cameras are expected to roll out on June 26th, 2015.   Chief Ritchie would also like to thank Town Administrator Eric DeMoura, Mayor Linda Page and all of Town Council for funding all of the body cameras. Their support of this program is immeasurable.

Interview with Fox and Friends

You can see the interview that Cpl. Willis gave to Fox and Friends this morning regarding his heroic act of pulling a young man from a burning vehicle in the link below. Thank you to Fox and Friends for allowing Cpl. Willis to share this story with their viewers!

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4272793511001

Wanted Wednesday

CAPTURED 6/9/2015

Can you help us locate this individual? If you have any information about him please call 843-884-4176. You can also send an anonymous tip from the tab above or from our smartphone application. 

www.mppdnews.blogspot.com 

#mtpsc #chs #wantedwednesday

Officer Saves Man from Burning Car

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Officer rescues man from burning car in the parking lot of Vickery’s on Shem Creek.   Corporal Adam Willis responded to the parking lot of Vickery’s on May 30, 2015 at approximately 4:35am and found a vehicle engulfed in flames. Corporal Willis retrieved his fire extinguisher and began clearing the passenger compartment of flames when he  observed a man sitting in the driver’s seat. He was then able to pull the man from the car and escorted him to safety.  Corporal Willis’ quick actions saved the man from serious  injury and possible death.