Latest news with #DuaneLewis
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Berkeley County enforcing new boat landing ordinance this Memorial Day weekend
MOCNKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) — Berkeley County Sheriff's Office will be enforcing a new ordinance this Memorial Day weekend to crack down on disorderly conduct at their boat landings. Berkeley County officials say they've had several issues over the past few years at boat landings around Lake Moultrie. This new ordinance gives patrol officers the tools to enforce safe conduct. 'We want to protect our natural spaces. We want to ensure the safety and accessibility for our citizens to use these landings,' said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. The ordinance prohibits swimming within 50 feet of the landings, alcohol consumption, blocking the landing, and parking in trailer spots. Officers will be issuing citations for illegal parking and deputies will be at the boat landings Memorial Day weekend educating people on the new ordinance. 'We want everyone to be considerate, use common sense,' said Berkeley County Chief Deputy Jeremy Baker. 'Unfortunately, at times people are selfish and come to the landings and they're focused on their day and not everyone else's: creating a problem, blocking everyone in and stopping a family from having a good day.' The ordinance comes after Berkeley County deputies say they've had complaints of large crowds obstructing boat launches, loud music, alcohol consumption, litter, overflow parking and more from residents and visitors. 'Hopefully, it will wake people up to take care and do the right thing. It's sad people leave so much litter.' said Howard Hogue also known as Beach Santa. There will be four boats on the lake this weekend and 20 additional officers. The Sheriff says the goal of the ordinance is to keep everyone safe, make launching boats quicker and more efficient and protect the area's natural resources. 'We are one of the fastest growing counties in the nation and people come here because of the natural resources we have and low taxes, but when an area gets overrun with people it's not safe,' said Lewis. Overton Park at Lake Moultrie will open this weekend for anyone who wants to swim at the lake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
48 arrested during Berkeley County crime suppression operation
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Deputies in Berkeley County arrested 48 individuals over three days as part of a crime suppression operation, the sheriff's office announced Monday. The saturation and crime suppression operation focused on increasing law enforcement presence in the Pringletown, Sandridge, Ridgeville, Jedburg, and Goose Creek areas of Berkeley County, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office explained. Law enforcement targeted areas with rising crime and drug-related activity. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted deputies. 'The ultimate goal of the operation was to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.' Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis stated. 'Our message is clear: we will not tolerate criminal behavior in this community and will continue to work relentlessly to restore peace and order.' During the operation, authorities seized about 7,927.204 grams of marijuana, about 14.43 grams of cocaine, 1.4 grams of crack, 5.12 grams of methamphetamine, 43 dosage units of MDMA, 9.6 grams of fentanyl, and four firearms. Law enforcement also issued 46 citations and 88 warnings during the operation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
