A note from Mayor Wert about security on Kiawah

This email is in response to the most recent email from Bernard Newton and is intended to clarify, not correct. Hopefully it will also clear up some misconceptions that I have been asked about lately.   The issue in the past occurred while I was on the KICA Board and involved the night shift supervisor of the KICA security force. The sting operation was a combined effort between the Charleston County sheriff's department and the head of KICA security department. The supervisor was caught in the act and prosecuted.   As Mayor, I and the majority of the present Town Council totally agree with you, the Town of Kiawah does not need it's own police force now, or in the foreseeable future. The compensation figures you mention are conservative, and let me repeat, I am totally opposed to a Town of Kiawah police force. What has worked so well in the past, and we are presently doing, is hiring off duty County Sheriff deputies to patrol our island and back up the Town's code enforcement officers and KICA security. Joe Pezzullo, our Chief Code Enforcement Officer manages this interface for us and this has worked well, we get experienced police coverage without the cost, management issues, and liability of having our own police force. I invite those residents that will vote on December 7 to ask all of the candidates their position on this issue before voting. The fire department is totally paid for by the County and is provided by the St. Johns Fire Department. Part of our Charleston County property taxes fund the Fire Department, there isn't any supplemental funds paid for by the Town for the excellent fire protection we receive. We are fortunate the President of the Board of Directors of the Fire Department is a Kiawah Island resident, Tom Kulick who more than looks after our needs.   I hope this helps clear the air. Bill Wert Mayor

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