Sagging pants now illegal in Timmonsville

Timmonsville Mayor Darrick Jackson said Tuesday that he is separating police Chief Gregory Palmer from the Timmonsville Police Department, on behalf of the town.

The mayor's action came at a council meeting after an executive session.

In a separate matter, the council passed the second reading of Ordinance 543 to establish a dress code in the town. The ordinance was presented to council last month by Councilman Walter Washington.

Jackson said his decision regarding the police chief was not an issue for the council to take action on. He said the town's type of government did not require a vote from the council.

“As I stated earlier, there was numerous reasons (for the termination)," Jackson said. “As mayor and council, we have lost the confidence in his ability to lead the department.

Timmonsville’s investigator, Billy Brown, will step in as acting police chief.

Palmer said he is disappointed.

“When you believe in a system and then that same system does this to you, it’s no wonder why the jail is full,” Palmer said. “The sad thing is, it’s not a black/white thing, but when you have a predominately black government try to go after—and with a black mayor, he’s the one that’s trying to go after a black chief. It makes you wonder. Maybe we need some white people on the council. Things will go different.”

Councilwoman Cheryl Qualls said there was a news article published recently that stated the council had lost confidence in Palmer, but she had not. She said the article was a cover-up for illegal actions taken and the use of taxpayers’ money to pay for a person to be released from jail because of child support.

Qualls said she received a tip about taxpayers’ dollars being used in a situation regarding Palmer and child support. She said the council did not approve a loan for child support, so anyone knowingly participating in the illegal act of spending taxpayers’ money should be arrested.

“I am asking for a forensic audit which will show every penny of the taxpayer’s money and where it has been spent for the last two to three years,” Qualls said. “And I’m asking our attorney to make sure this gets done. And I’m saying in public, if for any reason this cannot, will not and you do not assist us in getting it done, then I will ask the council that we remove this particular attorney and we hire someone who is going to assist the town in moving forward.”

The issue of child support was not made clear, and Palmer did not comment on that issue.

Qualls also mentioned in the meeting that that council approved several meetings ago for a detailed check registry to be given to each member, but said that in the registries that have been presented, lots of missing spots are included. She also brought notice to the frequent absence of town financial consultant Wanda Chapring from monthly council meetings.

“Three to four months out of the year, we’re able to see Ms. Wanda Charping. I’m not sure what is going on, but when she is on the agenda to report to council about how monies is being spent, I think council needs to know why she is not showing up,” Qualls said. “I deem that inappropriate.”

In regard to the new town dress code, Washington said Ordinance 543 is aiming toward helping the younger generation better themselves.

Councilman Woodrow Thomas Jr. was absent from the council meeting, but of the present members, five were in favor of passing the second reading of the ordinance. Qualls opposed.

Mayor Pro Tem William James Jr. said the ordinance is about integrity and has nothing to do with the police.

“Young children do what they see. If they see older guys doing that (sagging), they’re going to grow up and think that it’s right,” James said. “We need to put a stop to it. I understand there’s a such thing as fads, but this has gone on way too long.”

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 12:08 AM with the headline "Sagging pants now illegal in Timmonsville."