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Residents complain of crimes and nuisances at Dorchester County boarding home; council says legal options limited
Summary
Residents urged Dorchester County to act against alleged drug, sexual and property crimes linked to a boarding/halfway house at 120 Waring; council urged reporting to sheriff, codes and DHEC and said state law and Fair Housing protections limit county authority.
Several Dorchester County residents used the public‑comment portion of the Oct. 6 Dorchester County Council meeting to report repeated criminal and nuisance behavior they attribute to a boarding/halfway house at 120 Waring Road.
John Cadwell, speaking for neighbors, said he had collected more than 100 signatures and alleged the facility’s residents had committed sexual assaults, break‑ins and other crimes. Other neighbors recounted long‑running problems at nearby properties (including severe vermin infestations and alleged intrusions) and presented photographs and a petition asserting the conditions are habitual.
Council members acknowledged the residents’ concerns and described the county’s limited enforcement options. Members urged residents to call the sheriff’s office for criminal activity and to file complaints with codes and zoning. They also recommended contacting DHEC for health or nuisance issues and suggested residents contact their state representative for assistance regarding state licensing or statutory changes. Council said the federal Fair Housing Act and state law restrict the county’s ability to exclude certain group homes from residential neighborhoods; council also said it would provide a transcript of the public comments to the sheriff for follow‑up.
Why it matters: residents described repeated incidents that they say threaten neighborhood safety and quality of life. County leaders expressed sympathy but warned that civil and housing law, together with state licensing rules, limit immediate local tools; they pointed to enforcement routes (sheriff, codes, DHEC) and potential state engagement as the practical next steps.
What happened next: council did not adopt a new local ordinance at the meeting. Council staff said they would look into business licensing status, provide the comments to law enforcement, and advised residents to pursue DHEC and state legislative avenues where appropriate.
Representative quotes: "We have over a 100 signatures... they've molested little girls, they've assaulted women, they've broken into houses," said John Cadwell during public comment. "Call the sheriff's office. Call codes and zoning," a council member replied during the response segment.
The matter remains largely a community complaint at the time of the meeting; council identified procedural steps residents should take and signaled staff will pursue any county remedies available within state law.
