Letters to the Editor - August 24, 2023

FIRST OVER-RESPONDING?

 

Dear Editor,

 

Over the past year, I’ve observed a municipal ambulance respond to three separate medical emergency events in my neighborhood. On each occasion, the ambulance is accompanied by a full-size fire truck and crew. It’s apparent that this is the policy and practice of our fire department.

 

I certainly understand the need and sensibility of having Emergency Medical Service personnel accompany fire truck(s) to a bona-fide fire emergency but not the other way around. Unless there is some new science that links personal health/medical emergencies to spontaneous combustions, the practice seems unjustified and wasteful of public resources.

 

Robert Carew

Daniel Island

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CONCERNS

 

Dear citizens of Berkeley County,

 

I hope this letter reaches you all well. It has truly been an honor serving this great county since 2015. I look forward to continuing to have the support of our citizens.

 

Summer vacation is wrapping up and it is time for our children to head back to school to continue their education. Keeping our community safe and working together to maintain a safe environment is our top priority. We can’t do this alone; we rely on community tips to keep everyone safe. Parents, I would ask that you encourage your children to report suspicious and criminal activity to an adult, immediately.

 

As we all know, during the first few weeks of back-to-school traffic on our roads can be frustrating. Please remember to pack your patience and allow extra time for travel in the mornings and during school dismissal. Make sure to take extra precautions when entering a school zone and approaching a school bus.

 

Our School Resource Officers have been busy this summer with training in an effort to maintain safety and security in Berkeley County schools.

 

Please remember, if you see something – say something! You can always reach Berkeley County Dispatch at 843-719-4505. For emergencies, please always call 911.

 

I hope everyone has a happy and safe school year.

 

Thank you for letting me serve you.

 

Sincerely,

Sheriff S. Duane Lewis

Berkeley County Sheriff

 

TRAFFIC LIGHT SUGGESTIONS

 

DI News:

 

Maybe it’s only me, but I find two lights on Daniel Island that are poorly planned, timed and extremely annoying:

 

1. The light on River Landing Drive and Fairchild Street has a dedicated left turn lane. My guess is less than 5% of the traffic actually turns left at this intersection. Ninety-five percent of the traffic either goes straight or turns right onto 526 (I would also guess that 70% turn right). What would it take to have the left lane be changed for traffic going straight or left and leave the right lane for the majority of cars that want to go right and enter 526?

 

2. The light on Island Park Drive and Fairchild Street (at Publix’s and Refuel) is poorly timed. The majority of traffic moves on Island Park Drive, but the light is timed way too long for the amount of traffic on Fairchild.

 

Again, I’m just venting, but would be interested if others are similarly annoyed by these lights.

 

Sincerely,

George Kelley