South Carolina lack supervision of group homes

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "4 escapees only had to scale fence" (by Andy Paras, Bo Petersen; April 23, 2011; The Post and Courier), #s 41-42:


maxistheman · 10:17 AM on 4/25/2011

I heard they are now accepting troubled kids from Compton, Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, and St. Louis. I can't wait. They are gonna light Summerville up. So diverse, so right, so good.

findingmyself · 11:02 AM on 4/27/2011

They've always accepted kids from out of state. However, it's only the last few years that they've been accepting the very dangerous DC kids.

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Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

The Post and Courier
Area resident warned her neighbors

By ANDY PARAS
aparasn@postandcourier.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011


Peggy Williams lives in the Oakbrook Commons neighborhood near the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health facility. She said that after she learned of the four teens on the loose, she called her neighbors to warn them to lock their doors.
Photo by Wade Spees

SUMMERVILLE -- Peggy Williams got a call from her husband that four teenagers with violent histories had escaped from the Palmetto Behavioral Health center just down the road. She immediately called her neighbors in the Oakbrook Commons neighborhood to warn them to lock their doors.

That was about 8 a.m. Thursday, nearly 15 hours after authorities said the Washington, D.C., teenagers scaled a 6-foot-tall wooden fence and disappeared into the woods behind the Midland Parkway complex.

Three of the teens were picked up about 9:30 a.m. Thursday by Dorchester County sheriff's deputies, who spotted them walking along Dorchester Road. A fourth teen, who according to a D.C. councilman's staff member was committed as a juvenile on an attempted murder charge, was still on the loose Friday.

Genny Duesterbeck, one of the neighbors who received a call from Williams, questioned why residents weren't told about the escape and given a description of the teens sooner.

"How come we're not allowed to know that?" she said. "I think we should be entitled to know if they escape."

A Summerville police officer said the incident isn't considered an escape in South Carolina because the behavioral center is a private facility, not a correctional facility. The teens jumped the fence about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The wooden fence is topped with 18 inches of lattice but no security wire.

"That lattice is ridiculous," Duesterbeck said. "It's a cheap way to try and provide security."

Williams lives in the portion of the Oakbrook Commons neighborhood closest to the behavioral center. She said she doesn't feel unsafe. There were a couple other similar incidents at the behavioral center, she said, but those were years ago.

Larry Duesterbeck, Genny's husband of 50 years, also said he doubted that residents in the mostly older community had much to worry about, and didn't think it's worth bothering the residents if it's not serious.

It's not much different, he said, than the occasional person who walks away from the hospital that is also down the road.

"If you run, you're not going to stay here. You're going to run a little ways," he said. "I'll guarantee you that young man -- if I'm a betting man -- is heading home for Easter."

Summerville police Sgt. Cassandra Williams (no relation to Peggy Williams) said she can see both sides of the issue.

As a resident, she would want to know if there were an escape, she said, but noted that there are people out on bail accused of serious crimes. She said there have been so few problems at the center that most people didn't even know it was there until this week.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Area resident warned her neighbors" (by Andy Paras; April 23, 2011; The Post and Courier):


harpo · 12:48 AM on 4/23/2011

Are those arrested for violent attempted murder let out on bail? I thought they weren't.

When they say a patient or prisoner is "violent" then that's a mouthful. You have to give that description some serious thought .. especially when it's a 6'2" teen in the prime of his youth. The facility needs razor wire and guards .. or they need to get out of the "violent patient" business.

And get a #@ digital camera and learn how to use it!

findingmyself · 8:21 AM on 4/23/2011

"few problems"? If they only knew!

scpdblue · 9:56 AM on 4/23/2011

harpo,You have few parts of the mystery solved ; He is a Adult,Delonte Parker 6'2" he is a Bravo Mike,Brown eyes,black hair,he is violent and he is running loose in our community.The people need to circle the wagons,arm themselves and have a town meeting with the city,and the state as to why this place was built in a family housing area in the first place,why security measures are not in place to begin with, who will be fired for letting this incident happen in the first place and that includes from the TOP down. , what security measures will be in place to stop future escapes and ease citizens fears.

unojack · 12:17 PM on 4/23/2011

"A Summerville police officer said the incident isn't considered an escape in South Carolina because the behavioral center is a private facility, not a correctional facility."

Depends on how you use the term "attempted murder" doesn't it officer?

harpo · 9:53 PM on 4/23/2011

Are they quite sure Parker isn't holding one of the local households hostage at this moment; have they knocked on every door in the immediate area to check on that? If he could gain entry into a home and tie up the occupant(s), he'd have safe haven, food, drink, television, and a vehicle to use to leave in the dead of night after this dies down a little.

Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Recent events prompted the Post and Courier to publish the following Editorial or Opinion piece on the matter...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Post and Courier
Shocking public-safety gap

Saturday, April 23, 2011

The escape of four teenagers, each with a history of violence, from a Summerville behavioral health facility is of intense concern to the public and law enforcement officials, who have so far tracked three of them down.

Also of great concern: Why are violent teens from other jurisdictions being sent to South Carolina? Don't we have enough problems of our own?

The young offenders had been undergoing treatment at the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health on Midland Parkway, a facility under contract with the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Incredibly, a DYRS spokesperson refused to provide information about or a photograph of the teenager who remained at large as of Friday, citing "confidentiality regulations."

But the escapee has been identified by other sources as 19-year old Delonte Parker, who reportedly was charged with attempted murder in Washington, D.C.

According to our report, the center offers residential treatment programs for adolescent males with sexually aggressive behaviors, substance abuse problems and psychiatric, behavioral or conduct issues.

Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, accurately describes the situation as a "recipe for disaster" and wants the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to promulgate regulations restricting the relocation of violent offenders 17 years or older from out of state.

And Rep. Limehouse, who has been at the forefront of recent legislation to guard the public against sexual predators, wants stronger security guidelines generally for residential facilities that treat violent offenders.

The state also needs to ensure that when any violent individual from a behavioral or mental health facility gets loose that there is no barrier to adequate public notification. Photographs and any other pertinent information that might assist in his recapture must be made available.

Public safety, not confidentiality, must be the priority.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

It was at this point that the article posted in the OP, "S.C. has no say in youth centers: Little-known facilities hold troubled teens" by Glenn Smith, got published on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

Comments left for that article on the Post and Courier website archived starting here.

[Ursus]

I guess one might wonder... just how how much information the good folk of Summerville have been privy to, with regard to just what exactly goes on at the Palmetto behav facility...

Then again, this current crescendo of hoopla might be nothing more than over-reaction on the part of the locals, not to mention a bonanza of political opportunity, eh?

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The Post and Courier
Local lawmakers to file legislation to restrict sex offender facilities

BY YVONNE WENGER · ywenger@postandcourier.com
Originally published 02:47 p.m., April 26, 2011
Updated 02:57 p.m., April 26, 2011

COLUMBIA — Three Lowcountry lawmakers expect to file legislation as early as Wednesday blocking, or at a minimum restricting, treatment facilities from housing out-of-state sex offenders.

Republican Reps. Chip Limehouse of Charleston, and Jenny Anderson Horne and Chris Murphy of Summerville, are working with legislative counsel to put new standards in place for facilities such as Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health. The action comes in response to last week's escape by four violence-prone Washington D.C. teens from the privately run institution. One escapee who remains at large had reportedly been charged with attempted murder.

The facility's spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment.

The lawmakers expect to have a draft bill in their hands later today or early Wednesday.

Murphy said he did not know until last week that the facility existed, despite the fact that he lives within 1,000 feet of it and represented the area on Dorchester County Council for eight years before his election in November to the state House.

"I have a real problem with that," he said. "We don't need to be a dumping ground for Washington, D.C.'s problems. We're going to close this loophole one way or another."

Murphy and Limehouse said legislative counsel is researching what legal limitations the state faces.

"We do not need, nor do we want, out-of-state sex offenders for any reason — period, end of discussion," Limehouse said.

Murphy said he wants the state, if it can, to impose restrictions on where certain types of violent offenders can be treated. He said he also wants to research setting minimum security standards for the facility, perhaps in line with those for the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Murphy said the Summerville facility's 6-foot-tall fence is better suited for blocking the public from seeing what's going on, than keeping the offenders inside.

Also, Murphy said he wants facility administrators to notify law enforcement immediately when offenders escape or walk off, and provide them with the individual's physical description.

A photo of the still-missing offender still had not been released by local officials as of Tuesday afternoon.

The stakes are too high for lawmakers not to act, Murphy said. The area surrounding Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health is suburban, filled with neighborhoods and parks and swimming pools.

"That's a target-rich environment," he said.

The Summerville treatment center is one of 17 in the state that house nearly 800 kids and young adults struggling with mental illness, violent behavior and other problems. Many are privately run facilities and the state has little control of who is placed in these facilities or where they come from.

Limehouse said the concern is of statewide significance, and the Legislature has to act fast.

"We're under a huge time crunch," he said. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn in early June, but in about a week chamber rules will make it much more difficult for bills to become law.

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-926-7855, follow her at twitter.com/yvonnewenger and read her Political Briefings blog at postandcourier.com/blogs.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

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Comments left for the above article, "Local lawmakers to file legislation to restrict sex offender facilities" (by Yvonne Wenger; April 26, 2011, Post and Courier):


maxistheman · 2:54 PM on 4/26/2011

Shut these places down.

scdiver · 2:56 PM on 4/26/2011

"Murphy said he did not know until last week that the facility existed, despite the fact that he lives within 1,000 feet of it and represented the area on Dorchester County Council for eight years before his election in November to the state House."

That's unbelievable.

mcgillicuddy · 3:10 PM on 4/26/2011

The only facilities that should be open for male sex offenders would be a door to walk through and wall with a hole in it where dudes stick their wiener and bag so a tiny guillotine can cut them off. For women, if they're above an eight out of ten, they should be sent to my house.

creeker · 3:43 PM on 4/26/2011

Uh, that business has probably been there at least 15 to 20 years, way before any of those houses were built. Surprised that many people were unaware of it being located there. The business has changed hands a couple times since probably 2005, but it is funny that the land and building are owned by a competitor...lol. I've seen people reference that there were young children there too, but at least 6 years ago, they only housed boys ages 13-21. New owners, new rules I guess.

nitrat · 5:10 PM on 4/26/2011

Is this the old New Hope Jedburg facility?

creeker · 9:28 PM on 4/26/2011

Close....New Hope Jedburg was on Road 16 off exit 194. They had the young children ages 6 to 12. Boys and girls. It closed in probably 2005 or so. The property was sold to another mental health provider but has remained empty since then. The Midland Parkway location used to be a New Hope business called New Hope Inc or New Hope Summerville.

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pirate42 · 4:37 PM on 4/26/2011

about time you all woke up....

oversite · 6:21 PM on 4/26/2011

Predator-panic rhetoric from another group of vote-begging, spotlighting, popularity racers - who could care less if such a bill would increase the deficit, while doing absolutely nothing to improve public safety. Disadvantaged youth and depressed teens are "problems"?? And South Carolina is the "dumping ground"?? A severely depressed 16 year old on the verge of suicide is a PROBLEM for you!!?? Yeah that sounds like the kind of false-representation ego-centric politician mentality that would prefer they remain in their econmic bracket with little or no assistance and little or no education. Biggest problem with these self-righteous well-to-do political fakes? They only know how to spend and use public money and resources for their own careers.

sky · 7:28 PM on 4/26/2011

I'll tell you what I have a problem with; a 19 year old with a long history of violent crimes and charged with attempted murder being housed with 13-17 year olds being treated for depression. I would be very concerned if my child needed treatment and was exposed to violent criminals. Last year a 'patient'/thug molested two young teens. Regulations are needed to keep those over 17 yrs of age and violent offenders out of behavioral health facilities for teens. They are better suited for correctional facilities or secure treatment centers for older 'patients'.

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oversite · 6:26 PM on 4/26/2011

Let the record show that Chip Limehouse and his merry band of panic button pushers regard troubled and disadvantaged youth as "problems".

sky · 7:30 PM on 4/26/2011

Troubled and disadvantaged...is that what we're calling thugs with a history of violent crimes and a charge of attempted murder these days?

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oversite · 6:45 PM on 4/26/2011

I'm sorry, but when did the phrase "sex offender" first enter this story? Which one of the four is a C O N V I C T E D offender? I wouldn't be at all surprised if they're participants in a Judgement deferral program. But anytime you've got a combination of males, crime, and facility then I reckon if you're a clever politician you could throw in the "sex offender" phrase for good measure and really watch it take off...with your vote-begging name stuck on it. What's really absurd is that the troubled low income 13-17 year olds that Rep. Limehouse and his colleagues consider "problems" would be "child victims" in other situations. As long as it benefits that clever agenda - right?

findingmyself · 1:35 PM on 4/27/2011

The facility does house kids with sexual aggression problems, i.e. sex offenders. However, they have always kept them separate from the kids with more "generic" drug/alcohol/violence problems. Nowhere has it been said that the escapees were of the sex offender kind, everybody seems to be jumping to that conclusion.

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Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Here's what appears to be another Editorial by the Post and Courier:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Post and Courier
Public risk needs quick fix

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Our latest report on security issues at a Summerville behavioral health facility makes clear that last week's escape of four violence-prone teens wasn't merely an isolated security breach. Unfortunately, all of the details haven't been provided -- and won't be until regulations are strengthened on behalf of public safety.

According to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Summerville facility and the other 16 private facilities like it don't even have to report escapes. In fact, a Summerville policeman said such occurrences aren't even considered "escapes" because they don't involve a correctional facility.

Summerville police, however, do cite 128 times that they previously had been called to the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health facility. Among the problems were seven runaways and 12 missing-person calls.

Our article cited other episodes allegedly caused by patients who have fled the facility. Those reportedly included assault and kidnapping.

Stacey Lindbergh, Palmetto's director of business development and community relations, wouldn't comment on anything related to last week's escape when questioned by our reporter. She cited patient confidentiality restrictions.

Patient confidentiality should not extend to include potential threats to public safety.

But so far, not even a photograph of the teen who remains at large has been released, again because of patient confidentiality.

That 19-year-old reportedly was charged with attempted murder in Washington, D.C., and sent to Palmetto for treatment. Palmetto is under contract with the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Local and state officials are reasonably questioning why a facility in Summerville is allowed to take violence-prone patients from out of state.

As Summerville Town Councilman Walter Bailey said, "We have plenty of homegrown thugs in South Carolina without importing them from other states."

As a former long-term solicitor, Mr. Bailey ought to know.

And officials question the security arrangements at the private behavioral health center. The recent escapees simply climbed a six-foot privacy fence topped with 18 inches of lattice.

Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, raises another question: "How soon can we end this practice?"

That largely depends on what Rep. Limehouse and his colleagues can do before the session ends.

There has to be greater accountability for these facilities, private or public.

There must be limits to the claims of "patient confidentiality" when public safety is threatened.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

The Post and Courier
Youths' escape spurs bill
Lawmakers target out-of-state violent teens in S.C. facilities

BY YVONNE WENGER · ywenger@postandcourier.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2011


Reps. Jenny Anderson Horne (from left), Chris Murphy of Summerville and Chip Limehouse of Charleston drafted a bill in response to a security breach at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health. Photos Provided

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina would reject out-of-state violent youths for treatment at state-based facilities, or at a minimum put more security standards in place, under a bill that Lowcountry lawmakers expect to file as early as today.

Reps. Jenny Anderson Horne and Chris Murphy of Summerville and Chip Limehouse of Charleston, all Republicans, want to take action after four violence-prone Washington, teens escaped from the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health treatment center last week. One, who reportedly is charged with attempted murder, remains at large.

Lawmakers will have to act fast if the bill has a chance to become law before the Legislature adjourns for the year in June.

The later bills are introduced, the less likely they are to make it into law.

The Lowcountry lawmakers are working with legislative counsel to figure out how far the state can legally go to put limitations and standards in place for the 17 treatment centers throughout South Carolina.

"We don't need to be a dumping ground for Washington, D.C.'s problems," Murphy said.

Messages requesting comment from the treatment center were not returned Tuesday.

Nearly 800 children and young adults with mental illness, violent behavior and other problems live in these centers, many of which are privately run, such as Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health.

Limehouse said the No. 1 goal is to figure out how the state can ban out-of-state violent youths from being housed in South Carolina. He wants to tie residency requirements to facility licensing through the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. As it is, the state has little control over who is housed in such facilities.

"We do not need, nor do we want, out-of-state sex offenders for any reason -- period, end of discussion," Limehouse said.

But short of that, Limehouse said, the Legislature should make sure that children and teens of different ages are not mixed, especially when it comes to sex offenders.

Murphy said treatment facilities that house violent youths must have minimum-security standards, perhaps in line with those for the S.C. Department of Corrections. Murphy said the Summerville facility's 6-foot-tall fence is better suited for blocking the public from seeing what's going on than keeping offenders inside.

Also, Murphy said he wants facility administrators to notify law enforcement immediately when people walk off or escape, and to provide them with the individual's physical description. Summerville authorities complained that the facility provided them little helpful information on the escapees.

A photo of the offender who remains missing still had not been released by Tuesday.

Murphy said he did not know until last week that the facility existed, even though he lives within 1,000 feet of it and represented the area on Dorchester County Council for eight years before his election in November to the state House.

"I have a real problem with that," he said.

The stakes are too high for lawmakers not to act, Murphy said. The area surrounding Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health is suburban, filled with neighborhoods and parks and swimming pools.

"That's a target-rich environment," he said.

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-926-7855, follow her at twitter.com/yvonnewenger and read her Political Briefings blog.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Youths' escape spurs bill" (by Yvonne Wenger; April 27, 2011; Post and Courier), #s 1-20:


harpo · 12:57 AM on 4/27/2011

This announcement signals the beginning of the bribery phase of the bill in which private companies affected are solicited to present their bribes to those slated to vote on the bills. Graft and corruption in South Carolina are intrinsic components of its political machine .. and you can bet private money will cross palms before the lines are drawn.

toolman · 5:56 AM on 4/27/2011

Well, agent Harpo, it's time to set up a sting.

just sayin' · 7:11 AM on 4/27/2011

Every lobbyist worth his salt knows a great tailor.

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gomione · 2:02 AM on 4/27/2011

Rule #1, it's all about the money. Make it expensive, very expensive for these for-profit corporations to operate in the state of S.C.

They changed the rules on us without notification from treating non-violent children with treatable disorders to caging violent, sexually disturbed teens and adults.

Palmetto Behavioral Health has become nothing more than a holding pen of drug sedated criminals until their insurance or Medicaid benefits run out.

toolman · 5:55 AM on 4/27/2011

A great law would be one that keeps ALL politicians out of the state.

sand lapper · 6:23 AM on 4/27/2011

At the VERY LEAST...put razor wire around the tops of those fences. Good luck digging through southern Pine and Oak roots. And good luck uprooting the ones running the show from the profit margins as they will surely find loopholes to continue doing business in this shady manner.

coldbeer · 6:36 AM on 4/27/2011

Wow,, a Yvonne Wenger article about a problem and she did not find some way to blame the problem on our Governor. I'm amazed.

The first focus should be on improving security and communications. The offenders we have in our state are just as bad as in any other state. If you stop offenders from being brought in from other states, you've done little to address the real safety concerns of the citizens.

coldbeer · 6:37 AM on 4/27/2011

I'm really surprised that one of our money hungry, sue happy lawyers hasn't stepped up and gotten residents around the facility to file a law suit. It might actually do some good in this case.

retired · 10:14 AM on 4/27/2011

I will call you on this one! "

ue happy lawyers? I do not think so! The vast majority of lawyers prefer not to sue.[/list]
coldbeer · 11:24 AM on 4/27/2011

The vast majority may not sue, but we sure have some that do. Since I never claimed that the vast majority do sue, I'm not sure what you're "calling me" on.

Oh, should I add some exclaimation points to my posts also? Does that make the post more valid even though the actual text is in err?

rulenumberone · 12:39 PM on 4/27/2011

I expect we will start that dialogue soon if the facility doesn't hold a meeting with neighbors to personally address our safety concerns.

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newbattleaxe · 7:23 AM on 4/27/2011

Good luck to our state legislators getting this one passed! Maybe other parts of the state are having similar problems with similar facilities. This would surely help speed the legislation along!

starcar · 7:40 AM on 4/27/2011

Close it down...make it too expensive to keep the thugs in SC and still make money.

beentook2 · 8:00 AM on 4/27/2011

Legislative action, window dressing! No more, no less.

The fact that after a week no media has access to a photo of an individual who is a convicted "criminal" from Washington, DC but who is currently a "patient" in South Carolina, speaks volumes about the level of double dealing, back stabbing and double talk going on.

Betcha an order of wings and beer that if Lord Legislator Murhay found out a Meth Lab was within 1000 feet of his house there would be swat teams and helicopters all over the place.

However, if a Fortune Five Hundred Company wants to manipulate the laws to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse that is OK. On the other hand it just may be that the Big Hospital Company has smarter lawyers.

jbt · 8:08 AM on 4/27/2011

This state does not need any "out of state" offenders of any kind not just sex offenders. If the state legislatures will not pass laws prohibiting the transfer of these so called dangerous but mentally ill to our communities then local counties have to step up, impose new regulations on these facilities, fees and other demands to prevent making it profitable for these so-called treatment facilities. If not, just release them all into our sanctuary city North Charleston and they'll blend right in.

rulenumberone · 12:45 PM on 4/27/2011

If facilities like these aren't allowed to profit, we WILL have more people on the streets, and you will have more interaction. I prefer that government run mental health facilities- we at least have some oversight there where we don't with a profit machine.

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oldglory · 8:37 AM on 4/27/2011

I'm wondering where the 'fence' standards initially were spelled out? Seems the fences are pretty lacking, but cheaply built. Is it the federal government and/or SC trying to squeak by with spending less than they should? I think I smell something that says SC was really making a fair amount of money off this proposition. Just who are the hidden people involved in this undertaking. Mr. Murphy needs to ask more questions it appears as it's hard to understand how he could live within 1000 feet of such a structure and not know--it's his business to know! BTW, what is a 'target-rich' environment and just how does it relate?

(It amuses me that SC feels that 'our criminals' are a better class than 'outside criminals'!)

retired · 10:20 AM on 4/27/2011

For your information, our criminals can steal, rob, rape, burglarize, assault, and do any criminal activity as well or better than criminals from other states. That is why they come here and use the facilities in our State, so they can gain knowledge from our criminals!

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rabochiy · 9:38 AM on 4/27/2011

But...isn't privatization good? Government intrusion bad? I'm getting disoriented.

maxistheman · 9:53 AM on 4/27/2011

Chipper Limehouse. That sounds like a delcious treat for all.

Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Youths' escape spurs bill" (by Yvonne Wenger; April 27, 2011; Post and Courier), #s 21-40:


lou9 · 9:56 AM on 4/27/2011

For once Chip Limehouse is proposing legislation that makes sense.
These facilities should have to provide the same amount of security as a jail or prison. They are housing dangerous criminals. Lock them in their rooms at night. Guards on site 24/7. Put electonic monitoring on them (or better yet, shock collars).

roladur · 10:21 AM on 4/27/2011

I know everything, everybody takes the time to write comments on has truth and I believe their little brains are mostly saying what others want to hear. This is normal behavior for those writing and those confined within the prison walls of justice. Although, has anyone ever taken the time to truly understood the realms of mental illness or the fathoms reconciling the why's of erratic self-induced behavior or living within a mind altering world of confusion. Do they understand within the blink of an eye their world could become as devastating?
This world is so maneuvered around justice and injustice, within such a global structure we all become confused allowing our minds to seek only our pleasures and what is not truly ours.
Legislation could and should change many laws directing outsiders from invading each other, and properly with a little research would discover the amount of money changing hands for these out of state replacements.
I believe many that choose to write comments, truly, does not understand the functions and capabilities of the human brain. I believe when anyone truly takes the time in researching this marvelous structure, what is attached above their shoulders, more peace and love will endure their lives.

lou9 · 11:54 AM on 4/27/2011

You need to adjust your tin foil hat. The alien messages are seeping into your brain.

ironhorse · 4:54 PM on 4/27/2011

And why are the aliens using 2nd grade grammer skills to get their message to him?

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chrisjiii · 10:30 AM on 4/27/2011

Typical knee jerk reaction by the teapugs.Make more restrictive laws in an attempt to look like they're actually doing the people's business.

lou9 · 11:53 AM on 4/27/2011

So if a rapist/murder/violent offender escapes from one of these instutions he can hang out at your place? I guess you don't think it's the people's business to be safe from these criminals?

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coldbeer · 11:19 AM on 4/27/2011

roladur, w t f did you just try and say??? I'm pretty sure I've never read anything so disjointed and incomprehensible as the jibberish you posted.

happy67 · 1:12 PM on 4/27/2011

Maybe we could get him together with zoomru!

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coldbeer · 11:31 AM on 4/27/2011

Nevermind roladur. I just looked at a few of your other posts. It's clear your mind is not functioning normally. Your little 'bio" reads as if you admit to criminal sexual conduct in the past. Ive got no interest in discussing anything with you. I think sex offenders should be put to death.

mtpleasantmom · 11:36 AM on 4/27/2011

According to yesterday's article, local police have been called in an average of once every 2 weeks in the past 5 years. That, to me, makes it crystal clear that the facility is incapable of properly handling their caseload.

rulenumberone · 12:41 PM on 4/27/2011

The town of Summerville should start billing them since they're being used as a private business security force.

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early · 11:43 AM on 4/27/2011

Ok, this is step one, next step...no more nuclear waste stored here..OK

rulenumberone · 12:46 PM on 4/27/2011

Too much money changing hands. That's a tough fight.

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early · 11:45 AM on 4/27/2011

roladur
WTFF??

roladur · 12:19 PM on 4/27/2011

Wow!! Everyone gets an (A) for understanding confusion and honesty.

coldbeer · 4:01 PM on 4/27/2011

So... are you a sex offender as your profile would lead one to believe?

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rulenumberone · 12:28 PM on 4/27/2011

Oh. Tea Pots demanding MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATION! So it really IS important for government to look out for our safety. And Chris Murphy is clueless if he had no idea that facility existed. This is a kneejerk reaction and has little chance of passing at this point. Think things through so they really protect us. We always have to be care to have a good balance- we need more, not fewer facilities for mental health in this state. And yes, Chris, the stakes are hig if you do not act. You're up for re-election in 2012 if you haven't got your judgeship by then.

unojack · 4:44 PM on 4/27/2011

I'm pretty sure that protecting it's citizenry is both a Constitutionally mandated and appropriate function of our government...but you wouldn't know that as a dem, because you're too busy funding section 8 housing, and issuing credit cards to the lazy.
And lay off the name calling, you TOOL!

rulenumberone · 10:35 PM on 4/27/2011

I'm an independent who sees through the silliness of the GOP and the hijacking tea party people. You always want that evil govt off your backs, out of your lives, and don't want to pay for even basic functions of govt through taxes. But when something happens you're screaming for politicians to "do something." Here you are wanting to regulate private business in a free enterprise economy? No wonder our leaders are deadlocked- we send mixed messages to the,. Just wait until your Medicare is cancelled by the Tea Pots. You really can't have it both ways. And I never supported "section 8 housing and issuing credit cards to the lazy." You're misguided. It is what it is.

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rulenumberone · 12:35 PM on 4/27/2011

I'm still waiting for any response from Palmetto for my email. The silence is deafening. We need assurances from you that you are taking measures to protect our safety and security. So far, it's aloof and detached from the political reality. Inactions have consequences too. I don't know who is running your public relations there but you need a new staff before you're all out of work. If you wait until the firestorm that is coming when this fugitive hurts someone, it will be too late. Neighbors are not happy, and we will work to close you down if you continue to be so cavalier and insensitive. You won't know which is worse- fugitives fleeing or neighbors on your doorstep??

marketing@palmettobehavioralhealth.net

Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Youths' escape spurs bill" (by Yvonne Wenger; April 27, 2011; Post and Courier), #s 41-42:


sc29403 · 3:01 AM on 4/28/2011

Blah, blah, blah from elected officials whose only solution is to scream, "There oughta be a law!" There are laws, why don't you enforce them?

The hospital isn't licensed to house "children" over 17, are they? What other terms of their license might they be violating? Security measures? Taking in those charged with attempted murder? Staff to patient ratio?
To name a few possibilities.

We have all kinds of laws, they're just allowed to be broken. Lazy lack of local and state oversight and "looking the other way" during inspections is the problem. If government inspectors shut them down for violations, they'd be out of jobs with no places left to inspect. Didn't any of them notice the big "men" amongst the children?

These "private" facilities suck up taxpayer dollars to support their "services" and to be supposedly "inspected". Most "patients" are wards of the court. Their expensive "medical" and "educational" costs are billed to Federal (medicaid), state and county governments/schools, but corners are cut on adequate staff from janitors to psychologists, teachers and nurses. (No, the doctors and corporate officers still make the big bucks.)

Private? No, you the taxpayer, turn their profits and this is what you get in return: criminals loose in your neighborhoods for which they could not care less. Closing government funded mental health hospitals in the 80's was supposed to save tax dollars, but it didn't. If they were government funded at least the public...and elected officials would know where they were.

findingmyself · 11:13 AM on 4/28/2011

The key here, I think, is the licensing bodies need to do UNANNOUNCED visits, instead of always giving warning. A lot would clean up if the place didn't know from one day to the next if inspectors were going to show up out of nowhere.

[/list]


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Police video footage also accessible via below headline link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Post and Courier
Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health center did little to assist police
Video, report detail events after violent youths escape

By Glenn Smith · gsmith@postandcourier.com
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Video: Four Youths Escape


Summerville Police Department released this dashboard camera video and audio of the first officer responding to the report of an escape by 4 youths at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health center on April 20.

SUMMERVILLE -- Police officer Trey Hardy raced to the teen treatment center eager to help find four runaways who scaled a fence and fled.

He pulled into the parking lot and told a worker to get someone who could provide some information on the missing youths.

And then Hardy waited.

"They don't seem too concerned about it here," Hardy told a fellow officer who radioed for a description of the missing teens.

It would be several minutes before anyone came out to talk with Hardy. And when they did, staff members struggled to provide basic descriptions of the teens and offered no specifics as to why they were being housed at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health.

Hardy's frustrating encounter was captured in a police report and cruiser video footage released Wednesday to The Post and Courier documenting the police response to the teens' April 20 escape from the 60-bed Midland Parkway treatment facility.

It wasn't until the following day that police learned the teens had criminal backgrounds and violent pasts in their home city of Washington. When the information finally came, it was from Washington media, who called Summerville police after hearing about the escape, police said.

"We were learning from them what we had here," police Sgt. Cassandra Williams said.

Williams said she was surprised to learn the next day that the teens had a history of violence. One runaway who remains missing had reportedly been charged in Washington with attempted murder. The staff made no mention of this, Williams said. "How could you not know what's in your house?"

If officers had had all the facts, Williams said, they might have been able to get the teens back where they belonged that night, she said.

"I wish we had been given everything we needed on day one," she said. "We can only act on what we have knowledge of and go from there. And we were not given all the information that night."

A difficult situation

Palmetto officials have not responded to repeated questions about the incident, citing patient confidentiality laws. The center released a statement last week saying it is "committed to providing the best possible treatment to its patients and takes their safety and well- being very seriously."

The incident has sparked outrage in the community and calls for legislative change. The report and video released Wednesday illustrates the difficulty police encountered in extracting routine details from the staff of Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health. The scene played out this way:

Hardy was called to the Midland Parkway center about 6:30 p.m. to check out a report of four young men running away from the facility. Once he got there, he had to wait 12 minutes before anyone came out to meet him.

When he finally met with a staff member, she provided "very vague" information. Staff could not provide a specific location where the four scaled the center's 6-foot wooden fence or a solid time frame for the incident. Hardy was told they ran off while en route to the gym.

Staff also had difficulty providing clothing descriptions for three of the missing youths and had to call over to the nursing station to get height and weight measurements for the teens. Staff did not tell Hardy the teens posed a threat to the community.

At one point, he specifically asked why they had been sent to the center from Washington. "Are they criminal or mental?"

"A little of both," a staff member replied. "They're juveniles sent here because of psychiatric issues and they may have come here because they committed a crime."

The only mention of violence came when a staff member told Hardy one youth had attacked a center worker, police said. He ran criminal histories on all four teens but found very little because they are juveniles.

Police later learned the teens had been committed to the center by District of Columbia courts under the auspices of the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Center. District officials described the teens as having violent criminal histories.

Dorchester County sheriff's deputies rounded up three of the teens the next day. The fourth, 19-year-old Delonte Parker, remained the subject of a multi-state manhunt Wednesday with no known sightings, police said.

A history of violence

Also on Wednesday, a woman who allegedly was attacked and beaten by a 15-year-old from the center two years ago filed a lawsuit accusing Palmetto Behavioral Health of gross negligence and recklessness in the incident. She is represented by Mount Pleasant attorney Geoffrey H. Waggoner.

The victim, Toni Kucish, told police she was climbing from her vehicle on Oct. 12, 2009, when the teen started hitting her, knocking her to the ground. He continued to punch the 64-year-old woman in the head and shoulders while she was down. He ran off after she screamed for help but was quickly caught by staff members from the center, the police report stated.

Staff members told police the teen had slipped out a side door and run off after asking to get a drink of water. The teen told police he was angry with staff and decided to take it out on the first person he saw, a police report stated.

The lawsuit states the attack left Kucish with long-lasting emotional and psychological trauma, as well as physical complications. The suit alleges Palmetto failed to have adequate staffing, security and safeguards in place to prevent an attack by a client with a known propensity for violence and aggression.

Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556.


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health center did little to assist police" (by Glenn Smith; April 28, 2011; Post and Courier), #s 1-20:


sc29403 · 1:27 AM on 4/28/2011

Un-be-liev-a-ble! A 6 ft, 200 lb, mentally ill man charged with attempted murder escapes along with three others and this is the reaction of staff? Listen to the audio on the police video. No urgency or much concern at all, even a couple of chuckles. Why are these news reports protecting the names of those in charge? Who is giving the report to the officer? No one bothered to gather the "patient" description info while waiting for the police? Why did they even call the police?!? Whoever did probably got reprimanded for doing so...for breaking the code of silence.

Name withheld[/b] · 2:47 AM on 4/28/2011

This comment is under review.[/list]
coldbeer · 5:34 AM on 4/28/2011

This place should be shut down and the owners and supervisors charged with endangering the public.

retired · 10:08 AM on 4/28/2011

It should be shut down.

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rayshockeynut · 5:46 AM on 4/28/2011

This place is a danger to the general public.... SHUT IT DOWN!!!!!!!!

eye on you · 6:20 AM on 4/28/2011

Drop the funding

toolman · 6:24 AM on 4/28/2011

Shut 'er Down! Privacy laws do not take precedent over threats to the community. The people running this place have no business accepting DC criminal trash anyway. We have enough produced locally. Somebody who is retired needs to go up there and carry protest signs until it's shut down. We workers can be there Saturday.

sand lapper · 6:27 AM on 4/28/2011

The whole place stinks of shady business and back room deals. The least they can do is put razor wire over the top of those fences if they are going to find loopholes through our state laws. This isn't the only garbage that DC is dumping on us....they still owe us for nuclear waste disposal. Bunch of sinister azzholes. Let's give up the addresses of all the staff there to the "inmates" and see how fast they get that place secure. In the meantime.....


SHUT IT DOWN.

tide2 · 7:19 AM on 4/28/2011

Whats more alarming is the monsters are likely on mind altering drugs.

tide2 · 7:22 AM on 4/28/2011

DHEC is a joke.

Where is the NEW State Attorney General in this matter? We need an emergency court Order to shut this place down. It's a threat to society!

paulie · 7:38 AM on 4/28/2011

Remember, we now have only pro-business members on the DHEC board now, thanks to Haley.

tomcatz · 9:57 AM on 4/28/2011

The "new" attorney general is prolly hiding behind his daddy's desk!!!

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inlikeflynn · 7:44 AM on 4/28/2011

i would like to know how many other facilities like this are in SC and and the Charleston area? how many out-of-state criminal-patients are sent here each year? which states are the from? how much money does this kind of patient net for a facility?

i suspect this is a much bigger problem than this one facility.

billythekid · 7:48 AM on 4/28/2011

When you strip down state government, like Sanford had done and Haley continues to do, this is the kind of stuff you get. Expect what you inspect and these types of "homes" have very little, if any "agency" that is overseeing them.

sand lapper · 7:53 AM on 4/28/2011

tide2: AND once those drugs wear off and they stop taking them, they'll all be Dr. Jekylls with axes to grind...literally.

billythekid · 8:00 AM on 4/28/2011

We have had a republican run government for many years, they have given out tax breaks and tax cuts, because that is what defines them. For the last 3 years we have had both the governor and the legislators going back in forth on how we won't except any stimulus money (it saved this state's azz), we have a problem with the employment security commission (2+billion dollars in the hole)…they somewhat fixed that but will fall very short of paying back the 2 billion they spent over the last 4 years while SC businesses had GREAT rates on their employment tax.
We need to overhaul the SC tax code and have something in place that is fair to everyone, with the goal of increasing revenue.

Name withheld[/b] · 8:30 AM on 4/28/2011

This comment is under review.[/list]
bigmack · 8:59 AM on 4/28/2011

sandlapper,D.C. did not force anything on the state of S.C. our greedy,stupid republican politicians embraced it!

singleroni · 9:06 AM on 4/28/2011

just curious- are any of these kids going to school with our kids?

red06 · 9:21 AM on 4/28/2011

The client have there own school they go too on campus

[/list]


Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.

[Ursus]

Comments left for the above article, "Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health center did little to assist police" (by Glenn Smith; April 28, 2011; Post and Courier), #s 21-35:

paulie · 10:24 AM on 4/28/2011

Translation into English red06 ... ?

sc29403 · 7:50 PM on 4/28/2011

no, they are schooled on site, but they are reimbursed through tax dollars, so we pay....

[/list]
jbt · 9:31 AM on 4/28/2011

I foresee a new "Welcome To SC" sign, "Dumping Ground For Old Nuclear Waste And Young "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Criminals."

bigmack · 9:39 AM on 4/28/2011

they have captured the last escapee in D.C. !

8011 · 9:48 AM on 4/28/2011

New rule for juvenile violent offenders: No rules, no confidentiality, hard labor, zero tolerance, boot in the azz! Rights? Your rights went out the window when you played the fool!

tomcatz · 9:59 AM on 4/28/2011

Ask "ole earl", he is the main dhec man, with all of the answers!!!

retired · 10:13 AM on 4/28/2011

Who knew that this facility existed?

zoomru · 10:22 AM on 4/28/2011

BINGO....Retired...!!!

Does this paper not have a listing of all of these areas...!?!

They have a section for restaurant Inspections...!!!

They have a section for BOEING...!!!!

They have a Civil War section...!!!!

They have a traffic cam section to watch US...!!!

They have a child care section....!!!

WHAT KIND of watch dog is this newspaper...!?!

This paper needs new LEADERSHIP....!! Especially if the fine reporters expect new READERSHIP...!!!!

My backside....!!!

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zoomru · 10:17 AM on 4/28/2011

Uh....oh ....!!

Sheriff Dewitt and Sheriff Cannon and Sheriff Knight will need to do better than this to lock in those funds from DHS for those inflatable boats their begging for...!?!?!

Sheriff Dim-witt, Sheriff Pistol and Sheriff Mid-night had better get a clue...!!!

How many other facilities like this are in our area...!?!

Does this paper even know...!?! When is the last time this paper has sent a reporter out to ...ASK questions at this facility..!?! Post the financial documents...!?!

Glenn Smith sure has a way of helping these fine men escape and then getting glory for writing a story about it ...!!

If Glenn had been doing his job then these fine workers would have shown more ....WHAT...!?!


We have troops on the frontlines trying to fight and win a war but yet we cannot get law enforcement to post a graphical google earth posting with all of the areas half way homes on the areas newspaper website for all to see and help hold accountable...!?! If sex offenders have to post their where a bouts then would it not seem logical to post ALL LOCATIONS where criminals are being detained...!?!

How many times a week to officers CRUISE by this joint for a peek anyway...!?!

zoomru · 10:28 AM on 4/28/2011

Obviously now......

We all know that there will be a thorough review and a proposal for MORE FUNDING...

...on top of the LAWYER-FEST this is going to cost taxpayers..!!

Think of all the foreign OIL that will be consumed to track these men down..!! Foreign OIL that will help fund the loons that are shooting at our fine men and women...!!!

Does Sheriff Dewitt and Cannon and KNight want to win a WAR...!?!

crankyyankee · 11:00 AM on 4/28/2011

Funny how ya'll blame the Republicans but all of the perps are democrats! I talked to the single parent mothers of these thugs and they assured me they are good mothers and their kids are doing exceptional in a very good educational system. Sound familiar?

wisertime · 11:56 AM on 4/28/2011

What's even more surprising in the video is the magically appearing gold SUV near the beginning of the video (between 0:48-0:50).

scpdblue · 12:01 PM on 4/28/2011

All bravo Mikes,NO contact phone numbers(disconnected),All with violent and mental problems,from war zone states/District I wonder who is paying for their stay.Surely not the parent,cousins,uncle,grandma or auntie. That would leave only one other, The taxpayers.

sand lapper · 12:43 PM on 4/28/2011

Eh hem!! zoomru....

Where the.........FIST POUNDZ!...POUndz!....poundz!??

And the..........."MY BACKSIDE!!??"

harpo · 4:24 PM on 4/28/2011

FIST POUNDZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co.