Have food, grill, music and a message, will travel

"From Highway 52 take a right then a left," Moncks Corner police officer PFC R.O. Scott said. "We'll be there."

With or without welcome assistance and directions, the Shannonwood community wasn't hard to find July 12.

In fact, it was as easy as following the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers and sounds of music.

Shannonwood was the first stop on community outreach event calendar sponsored by the Moncks Corner Police Department.

From 6 – 8 p.m. officers supplied the food and fun.

Along with residents and members of the police department, guests included SC House Representatives Samuel Rivers and Joe Jefferson, and Berkeley County Councilman Steve Davis at an event that was the first of an ongoing effort to build a bridge between the community and police to "forge a relationship and trust each other," said Chief Rick Ollic. "We want the community to know they can lean on us."

When Moncks Corner Mayor Michael Lockliear arrived, the two leaned a little closer for a photo.

"One of the reasons I knew Chief Ollic was the right choice for Moncks Corner was his focus on community engagement," said Lockliear.

A former investigator, Chief Deputy and Major of Operations at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, Ollic's career in law enforcement began in 1986.

He was sworn in as Moncks Corner's police chief Jan. 28.

"Since he's started, he's been working with the department and the community to build those relationships," said Lockliear. "Given what has been going on around the state and nation, this was the right time to take that next step and start having events like this."

Designated grill master, Det. Michael Auclair agreed.

Auclair's smile glistened courtesy of the combined heat from the grill and Mother Nature's melting pot. "People think all we do is want to arrest people," Auclair said in between flipping burgers and tending to the hot dogs. "That's not who we are."

Tents provided a partial reprieve but with Dragon Entertainment providing the dancing music, seats didn't stay occupied for long.

Hard to miss with hot pink handcuffs, MCPD officer Thelma Lewis worked her way through the crowd handing out hugs.

Scott said he thought the event was a success and Moncks Corner councilmember Tonia Aiken Taylor and dancing partners didn't let the heat deter a good time.

"I think it is the beginning of something great," Taylor said.

Ollic noted the primary focus for these events is to open the lines of communication.

The social time served a dual purpose that included planning together to give communities what they need: safety.

"It's time," Ollic said. "And it's important to establish dialogue and a partnership within our cities and towns."

Taylor suggested the need for more events that will allow the communication to continue within the community.

"We need to hear what is in the heart of our citizens," Taylor said. "I also appreciate the fact that even before all of the recent events around the country, the town of Moncks Corner has had the community outreach endeavor on the agenda. In light of the tragedies, we can really focus on the needs that persist amongst our community."

The locations, chosen in no particular order, are places the police department deemed will benefit.

"We've gotten some calls in these areas," Ollic said.

Lockliear noted the "overwhelming positive responses from both the officers and the community is evidence of the groundwork (Ollic) has done over the last six months."

MCPD is planning to host two events per month, Ollic said.

Source: Have food, grill, music and a message, will travel