Resident urges action on gunfire, stray dogs and road damage in Shepherd Acres

A Shepherd Acres resident described repeated gunfire, packs of roaming dogs and recurring road and drainage problems during public comments at the Kershaw County Council meeting Sept. 9.

Brian McCarty told council he had been unable to sleep at his Camden-area home because of daily gunfire and neighborhood fights, and that he had found five dogs tearing apart a cat in the road outside a house with children. "It's that bad, sir," McCarty said, adding he had called the sheriff's office multiple times and once had to dial 911 to get a response. "It's a shame that I got to leave the state to go and get a night sleep so I can work the next morning."

McCarty also described erosion and driveway washouts near his property that required him to pay a neighbor to fill his driveway after a county drain was left uncovered. He said he was frustrated with animal-control responses. "County animal control keep telling me we can't do anything. Something's gotta be done," he said.

County staff asked McCarty to provide his full contact information so staff could identify his council district for follow-up. Miss Hannah, the clerk to council, said if staff had the resident’s name, address and phone number they would determine the appropriate council member and follow up. Council members directed staff to forward the resident’s information to the sheriff’s office for additional follow-up.

Ending: Council members asked staff and the sheriff’s office to follow-up with McCarty. No formal action or ordinance change was made that night.