Blythewood council schedules town hall with sheriff after Movies-in-the-Park disruptions

The Blythewood Town Council discussed several security measures for town-sponsored events after repeated disruptions at Movies in the Park and a July Fourth gathering, and agreed to host a community conversation with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

Councilman Brock, serving as mayor pro tem, said the town will host Sheriff Leon Lott and members of his team at a public meeting on April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Doko Meadows Park to discuss strategies and resources for preventing future disturbances. “Mark your calendars, April at 06:30PM right here in Doko Meadows,” Brock said.

Why it matters: Council members said the town’s repeat incidents — including several fights that prompted the sheriff’s deputies to end a movie screening early — have raised community concerns about safety at family events and about how the town coordinates with county law enforcement. The council does not operate its own police department and relies on the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for event security.

Council members and staff described a mix of possible responses: a town hall to solicit community input; targeted staffing and visible law-enforcement presence; age restrictions or curfews for certain events; and outreach to parents. Interim Town Administrator Driggers described measures used in other jurisdictions, including posting minimum-age requirements at event entrances and deploying school resource officers who already have relationships with local teenagers.

“We use school resource officers because they already know these kids,” Driggers said, describing how officers’ ongoing contact during the school week gives them leverage to prevent repeat incidents.

Council members pressed for concrete planning for two upcoming large events: a Juneteenth celebration and the Rockin’ Red, White & Blue Fourth of July event. Councilman McKinnon said he did not feel comfortable proceeding with both events without a specific safety plan. “I would not feel comfortable with the town going forward with the two major events coming within the next four to five months,” he said.

The mayor pro tem and staff discussed costs and logistics. The council noted that deputies assigned to Movies in the Park have been scheduled at $55 per hour and that, for private events, the event organizer is expected to pay security costs. The council also discussed the cost and complexity of establishing a municipal police force and acknowledged that it would be a significant budget and operational undertaking.

The council agreed that a town hall with Sheriff's Office representatives would be a first step to share information and to solicit community recommendations. Brock said he had spoken with the sheriff and confirmed the department’s willingness to participate in the April 6 meeting.

Council members asked staff to prepare options for the town to consider — including enforcement approaches, minimum-age policies, and communications plans — and to bring those options back to the council and to the community meeting.

Ending: The council set the April 6 community meeting as the immediate next step. Councilmembers and staff said they will use the town hall to collect input and to coordinate with the Richland County Sheriff's Office before finalizing security plans for larger summer events.