Top Stories
Bellinger Island focus of resident concerns
By Elizabeth Bush
Jul 16, 2008 - 12:07:21 PM

SUZANNE DETAR Last week several teenage youth enjoyed jumping off the rope and swing on Bellinger Island. Residents have raised concerns about the safety of the swing as well as about underage drinking, drug use and litter on Bellinger Island.

Bellinger Island has long been a place for Daniel Islanders and their guests to take in the Lowcountry’s beautiful natural splendor. Pristine marshlands, a winding tidal creek, a lush wooded glen of oaks and pines, walking trails, and spectacular sunsets are just a few of the many things you can enjoy there. But some in the community feel that this special place is being tarnished by leftover trash and evidence of unruly behavior .

"I use that area sporadically," said Jim Murphy, a Daniel Island resident who lives nearby. "It’s gotten worse over the years (with) the teenagers over there…The whole area is really for the community and as it stands now everyone has a little fear of going over there, which upsets me. I’m concerned."

"We moved here in January and (Bellinger Island) literally was the first place we saw and just thought it was so beautiful," added Lee LoPriore, who resides in Codner’s Ferry Park. "So to go back there now and see beer cans and cigarette butts is just so disappointing."

Several residents have posted their concerns about Bellinger Island on the Web site maintained by the Daniel Island Property Owners’ Association (www.dicommunity.org). In addition to issues relating to trash, another topic generating much discussion is safety. A large oak tree on the bank of Beresford Creek is home to a popular rope swing frequently used by youth. A nearby crabbing dock has been coated with mud in recent weeks, likely the result of kids playfully throwing mud as they jump from the dock’s railings. One resident even reported seeing a picnic table in the creek.

"During the summer, there’s always (someone) in the water, which is great and we love it," said Merrill Fei, who can see the tree and rope swing from her home. "It’s a fun place for families to go and enjoy. The concern is the really young children who are often there without any parental supervision. I wonder if parents think they might be at the pool or someplace else? The dark water, the fast moving tide, and amazing heights from which the kids are jumping without life jackets seems to be a recipe for disaster. I don’t think they even realize how shallow it is at mid and low tide…I’m so afraid I’m going to hear somebody calling for help one day."

"I think the rope swing itself is safe," added LoPriore. "It’s just going up to the top of the tree that I worry about. I saw a boy jump head first from the very top. That tree is stronger than we all realize, which is a good thing. At high tide it is deep, but you just shouldn’t jump into water that you can’t see the bottom of."

Jimmy Bailey, vice president of Community Services at the Daniel Island POA, has been quick to respond to resident concerns posted on the Web site, writing that the misuse of the area has become a "source of great frustration." Evidence of alcohol use on the island is found "on a regular basis," he said.

"I don’t take vandalism or illegal activity lightly by any stretch," said Bailey, who also noted that they have found drug paraphernalia on the island in the past. "But I’m not naïve enough to think that it’s never going to happen. We’re a big island and we can’t be everywhere all the time, just as the police can’t be everywhere all the time. We rely on the city of Charleston Police Department a great deal…and we rely on the eyes and ears of our community."

Regarding the rope swing, Bailey is careful to point out that the swing is not sanctioned by the POA. In fact, maintenance personnel have removed the swing "30 or 40 times," said Bailey, only to have it replaced the same day.

"We’ve been asked repeatedly by our insurance carrier not to provide any rope swing out into the creek," he said. "We don’t provide it. I know that it’s part of a Lowcountry tradition. I did that myself growing up, but the POA is not going to install rope swings in situations where we feel like it’s dangerous. We’re going to take them down. I do understand the argument against that, but we feel a fiduciary responsibility to play by the rules that are set forth by our insurance carrier."

Within days of multiple postings on the community Web site about questionable behavior on the island, the Charleston Police Department responded with a promise to step up patrols of the area.

"(Our offices) have been checking over there about eight to 10 times a day," said Lt. Dan Riccio, the commanding officer for Team 5 on Daniel Island. "We’ve stepped it up big time, and so far so good. We’re just doing constant foot patrols. If we see anything on the ground, we’ll pick it up."

"I have already seen the patrols at least a couple of times in the last week, so that’s great," added LoPriore.

There is still more Daniel Island residents can do to ensure this picturesque spot remains an ideal retreat for nature and recreation enthusiasts, said Bailey.

"I think some of the concerns from folks have been that it’s preventing them from wanting to go there," he said. "I would say do the opposite. Go more. The more it is being used as it was intended, with adults and folks walking dogs and enjoying it as a family, the less likely it is that folks are going to use it as a hangout. They’ll find a place that’s quieter and a little more off the beaten path."

Bailey said that he also plans to speak with Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen about the possibility of using video surveillance cameras to monitor the area. Instead of hiring a costly security force that would increase POA dues "dramatically," Bailey hopes to manage the problem with increased vigilance by both parents and others in the community.

"I’d rather take the neighborhood watch approach combined with the efforts of the police department and try to handle things that way."

"Bellinger Island is so wonderful," added LoPriore. "I just want people to enjoy it. We’re not trying to stop the fun, but let’s do it in a respectful way."

Both Bailey and Lt. Riccio encouraged residents to call police at 577-7434 to report any questionable activity or behavior.