MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – Just a few weeks into the role of police chief, Antwan Richardson met with the community, launching a new engagement effort.
Wednesday night’s community forum focused on the police department, crime statistics and ways the public and law enforcement can work together. Other topics included traffic congestion and mental health services available to everyone.
Chief Richardson says community engagement is crucial to building trust and reducing crime.
“The community helps us with our jobs, and that’s who we’re here to serve,” Richardson said. “I believe if we get to keep knowing our neighbors and our neighbors know us. They don’t have a problem talking to us at a better level than us, just coming out when something’s happening, and that’s the only time they see us, so I want my officers out there.”
In the presentation, Richardson noted there was a downtrend in many crime areas, but mentioned a rise in narcotics arrests.
“I like the fact that we had an uptick in the narcotics part of it because it shows that our officers are out there and doing heavy enforcement and getting stuff off the streets in Moncks Corner,” Richardson said. “As my first year, I’d like to continue seeing them do that.”
Another question asked by an attendee was regarding mental health and how police can ensure everyone receives the help they need. Kayla Bennett is a medic with Berkeley County Mental Health. She explains how she helps with that.
“We have a mental health team at the jail,” Bennett said. “So, a lot of times, they’ll say, ‘Hey, Kayla, we had to arrest this guy, but there’s some concern for mental health.’ What I do is reach out to our jail team, who are trained therapists.”
Richardson says this is the first community forum the department has held in recent years, and plans to hold them quarterly going forward.
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