Daniel Island Neighborhood Association elects officers for 2019

On the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 13, around three dozen residents gathered at the Church of the Holy Cross for the monthly Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA) meeting to discuss several topics, including leadership of the organization.

Without any resistance, DINA President Marie Delcioppo, Vice President Bob Graham, and Treasurer Stewart Miller were re-elected to their positions. Margaret Case Little is resigning from the secretary post and Marsha Miller was voted in to take over the position.

ISLAND CRIME

Representatives from the Team 5 of the City of Charleston Police Department also addressed the audience at the meeting to remind citizens about one of the most common crimes seen on Daniel Island.

“As some of you might be aware, we had a string of thefts from vehicles this past week,” said Lieutenant James Byrne, commanding officer for Daniel Island-based Team 5.

Lt. Byrne was referring to the evening of November 9, when almost 10 cars had items stolen from them in the Smythe Park neighborhood. As is so often the case, none of the cars were locked and there were no signs of forced entry. Two cars had a handgun stolen from them.

“I don’t know where they [guns] will be used, but I do know that they are in the wrong hands now,” he said. “Anybody who’s willing to go into somebody else’s car and steal them is somebody who doesn’t need to have a gun.”

One attendant asked if negligent behavior that results in the theft of a firearm could result in an individual losing their right to purchase or own a gun.

“There is no caveat in South Carolina law that allows for negligence to be the deciding factor in whether or not somebody can have a firearm,” stated Byrne.

The police lieutenant mentioned that the problem has a historical consistency with Daniel Island and he wants residents to look at their own behavior for why thefts from motor vehicles are such a common issue.

“We keep putting cheese on the floor and wondering why the mice keep coming around,” he said. “We need to make it so that people in the criminal world don’t believe that Daniel Island is as attractive as we keep making it.”

Byrne encouraged residents to spread the word about the problem and create a safer environment by reminding neighbors to lock their cars.

Later, Major Baker from Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office took to the stage with Delcioppo and Byrne.

“We are extremely over capacity in our detention center,” said Baker, echoing sentiments shared by Sheriff Duane Lewis. “Currently our jail was built to hold 291 inmates and we have 450 inside the jail. We had to shift 43 to Charleston [County] to be housed.”

Baker also agreed that thefts from unlocked cars are a regular issue in the county, as well as Daniel Island.

The Sheriff’s officer also added that the BCSO is currently applying for a grant through the state for six new traffic officers.

With the holidays upon us, Byrne also stated that residents can keep their homes safe from intruders as they travel for vacation by alerting Team 5 that they will be out of the house.

“We can keep an eye on your house, make sure we know who’s in town and who’s not,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to do this by telling patrol officers or contacting the Team 5 office. Business owners who are travelling and leaving their place of work unattended can also take advantage of this service.

DINA BYLAWS UPDATED

After the officers left the stage, Delcioppo stated that she wanted to expand the DINA bylaws to be more inclusive.

“We are the representative for every single resident on this island,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what street you live on. It doesn’t matter if you rent, you own, if you’re in a house, if you’re in an apartment. It doesn’t matter. If you live on Daniel Island, this association is your representative.”

All agreed and none were opposed.

The next agenda item was about the possibility of waiving annual fees. Right now, the annual fee is $10 per household. The fees were unanimously voted to be waived. DINA will save discussions of how to raise money without annual fees for a later date.

Lastly, DINA officers were given longer term limits in a unanimous vote.

“It’s a lot every year to try to find another crop of folks, so we are looking at changing that to be a two year term,” Delcioppo said.

President and vice-president are still allowed to serve two terms in a row. Everyone elected at Tuesday’s meeting will serve two year terms, with the next election set for 2021.

DINA will host its annual Oyster Roast on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pierce Park Pavilion. For ticket information, visit www.dineighborhoodassociation.org.