The three members of Georgetown City Council who won reelection in November were sworn in for new four-year terms Thursday night.

The oath of office was given to Council members Rudolph Bradley, Clarence Smalls and Peggy Wayne at the start of council’s first meeting of 2012.

Bradley was also elected by his fellow council members to continue serving as mayor pro tempore.

Once the formalities had concluded, the public comment period took place with a local family asking for an investigation into the City Police Department.

Loushonda Myers, Christina Myers and Wendy Folson each addressed council saying they feel an injustice has been perpetrated against their family.

The accusations — as detailed in a Jan. 4 story in the Georgetown Times — stem from several incidents, including the public accusations made that their family member — Dameon Myers — may be responsible or have played a role in the 2002 death of 21-year-old Joey Pope who was shot inside his Highmarket Street home.

Myers had been on the run for about a decade. He was arrested in 2002 on various charges, including failure to stop for a blue light, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.

He did not show up for his trial in 2003 and was found guilty in his absence. The sentence was sealed until he could be taken to court.

He was arrested in 2011 in Myrtle Beach and his sentence was unsealed. Myers is now serving a 20-year prison term.

The family also feels authorities are to blame for the 2000 death of Marvin Myers Sr. He died in prison after being arrested.

They say because of his known mental problems, Myers should have been taken to a mental health facility rather than a prison.

At Thursday’s meeting, Loushonda Myers said she had previously expressed the family’s concerns, in writing, to Mayor Jack Scoville and members of council but received no reply.

“This city needs council members and a mayor that will stand for what is right, address concerns and take appropriate action,” she said.

She said a complaint she made about Police Chief Paul Gardner was forwarded to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division which, she said, is unacceptable since “the corruption also extends to that agency.”

Folson, in her remarks, added the city “has allowed different agencies to come within its territory and execute unlawful acts. We need our elected officials … to put a stop to these abusive, unconstitutional acts.”

City responds

A response issued by the City of Georgetown Friday states copies of the complaints were sent to SLED last month.

About the family’s concern that SLED should not be investigating, the city says SLED “is the appropriate agency in South Carolina to investigate allegations of municipal police misconduct. 

“The Myers Family members making this complaint are well aware that any citizen can call the FBI and Department of Justice in Washington to request an investigation.  If those investigative bodies decide that they would like to look into the matter, the City of Georgetown will cooperate fully with the inquiry,” the statement says.

The city also notes the family’s complaints extend to Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Horry County Law Enforcement, judges, S.C. Department of Corrections, SLED and the FBI in Columbia.

“The complaint itself documents numerous arrests and convictions of members of this family over the years.”

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com