Public Safety & Crime Prevention

Crime has been a concern in District 1 for as long as I can remember. Growing up here, we were regularly told to lock our car doors and secure our homes at certain times of night. That level of constant caution creates anxiety where we should feel the safest—right at home. We deserve a community where families don’t have to wonder, Did I lock my car? Did I leave something valuable inside? Safety should be a given, not a gamble.

30-Day Plan for Safer Neighborhoods

A safer North Charleston begins with strong relationships between law enforcement and the community. Within my first 30 days on City Council, I will work with fellow council members—whom I personally know and respect—to ensure that every neighborhood in District 1 has a dedicated police officer assigned to patrol that area.

When officers are consistently present in the same communities, they build trust, learn the needs of local families, and help prevent crime before it begins. That familiarity allows them to become true partners in public safety—not just responders when something goes wrong.

As your councilman, I will continue to be proactive—not reactive. I’m thinking ahead and planning strategically so you, your family, and my family can have peace of mind rather than worry. Public safety shouldn’t only respond to crises; it should work to prevent them.

We must also ensure that housing in North Charleston is attainable for law enforcement officers so they can live in the neighborhoods they serve. Officers who live here have deeper relationships, stronger accountability, and a greater understanding of our community.

As your councilman, I will work to make sure every neighborhood in District 1 has consistent, visible, and dedicated patrols focused on building trust and keeping families safe.

Improving Lighting to Prevent Crime

I live in The Park at Rivers Edge, and I’ve noticed something simple but powerful:
when I turn my outside light on, would-be criminals keep walking past my home and my car.

That experience reminded me of something we all know too well — our streets are poorly lit.
Better lighting discourages crime, helps neighbors feel safer, and keeps drivers more aware of pedestrians who are walking, especially at night.

Right now, many communities still rely on yellow lighting, typically from older sodium vapor lamps. These lights are energy-efficient, but they distort colors and make it harder to identify people, cars, and surroundings after dark.

White lighting — especially modern LED fixtures — offers clearer, brighter visibility. With daylight-like illumination, officers and residents can see more accurately, which helps:

Deter crime
Improve pedestrian safety
Reduce accidents
Increase neighborhood comfort + community presence

Strong Partnerships + Real Funding Pathways

We can pursue improved lighting using general fund allocations, which are commonly used to support community safety projects. With a well-presented plan that highlights safety benefits and community need, we can secure investment to illuminate District 1.