Rink owner speaks

February 27, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The owner of a local skating rink spoke out Monday following an altercation at the business Saturday night.
Shawn Timmerman is the co-owner of Emerald City Skate, a popular hangout just off Highway 25 in a shopping complex behind Greenwood Mall. The rink was the site of a fracas about 10 p.m. Saturday.
Two verbal fights broke out almost simultaneously. While one of the fights was quelled quickly, the other led to as many as 100 patrons crowding around a bathroom door to see what was going on. The crowd dispersed after a Greenwood County sheriff’s deputy fired two streams of pepper spray, one into the ceiling and one onto the wall.
According to Timmerman and a sheriff’s office media release, nearly 400 people were in the rink at the time. Timmerman said the facility’s capacity is 1,472.
On Monday, Timmerman sought to clear the air about the incident.
“One argument started between a fourth-grader and a sixth-grader,” Timmerman said. “Shortly thereafter, another argument broke out between two 15-year-olds. But I do want to stress that, from what I have seen, on the security tapes and otherwise, there was no brawl.
“There were no (punches) passed between anybody, from what I’ve seen.”
Timmerman said the first two patrons — the fourth-grader and sixth-grader — were quickly separated and that conflict ended. As far as the other argument, between the two 15-year-olds, she said they were separated and one of them was sent out the front door.
Timmerman did say 50 to 100 kids rushed to the bathroom door where the second argument was taking place.
“The average age of our customers on a Saturday night is 13,” Timmerman said. “When you get so many 13-year-olds together, of course there will be an argument from time to time. The (15-year-old) boy was bowed up and carrying on, so those kids went over there to see what was going on.”
Timmerman said her husband and 17-year-old son, as well as rink referee Ross Doolittle, went into the bathroom to calm down the 15-year-old who had not been sent out the door.
Timmerman also spoke about the deputy firing two shots of pepper spray.
“That officer did what he felt he had to do to get through the crowd and control the situation,” Timmerman said. “I know that Ross and the others were able to get through there before the officer got over there.”
Doolittle, whose duties as referee call for him to police action on the skating surface, said that when the pepper spray was released, the crowd near bathroom door dispersed immediately. He said many of them were complaining about spray being in their eyes.
Timmerman said she and her staff — normally 10 people work at the rink on a Saturday night — immediately sprang into action and provided the people with water to rinse out their eyes, drinks and also escorted them to fresh air.
Timmerman said there were children as young as 5 at the rink, and that the age range of patrons on Saturdays is from 5 to 17.
Officers from the Greenwood Police Department and South Carolina Highway Patrol also responded to the scene, where they helped disperse the crowd.
Timmerman invited any parents of children who were present during the incident to a meeting today from 10 a.m. to noon at Emerald City Skate. She said the meeting would be used to create a dialogue between parents and the rink and to answer any questions parents may have about what went on.
“We just want to address any concerns they may have,” Timmerman said.
Also Monday, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office completed its inquiry into the situation. It released a report regarding the inquiry’s findings.
According to that report, the two 15-year-olds were “grabbing each other and pushing toward the men’s room at the rear of the building.” The report said those two entered the restroom, where the deputy lost sight of the pair. The crowd forced into the restroom as well, and would not clear to allow the uniformed deputy access, despite his repeated commands.
Concerned for the safety of those fighting out of his sight in the restroom, the report said the deputy sprayed a small amount of pepper spray on the ceiling above his head in order to allow the pungent smell to clear the dangerous crowd.
The report said a sheriff’s office review team determined no individual within the skating rink was sprayed directly in the face.
“As is usually the case, our deputy was thrust into a terrible situation which was not of his making or choice, and he had about three seconds to make a decision in a dark room full of yelling, uncooperative folks,” Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said.
Frederick said his interview with the deputy revealed he “clearly understood his responsibility for the safety of the people in the restroom, both the two combatants and the onlookers.”
Frederick said that when the deputy was faced with uncooperative people and was unable to break through the crowd to get to the fight, he had a few different legal options: The deputy could have chosen to go “hands-on” and force the crowd out of his way either using fists or a baton. He could have sprayed certain people directly in the face with pepper spray, or he could use the pepper spray indirectly as a crowd control measure.
“Quitting, unfortunately, was not one his options,” Frederick said, “because we have a responsibility to protect people, even though we’re often protecting them from themselves.”
Frederick said several teenagers claimed to have been sprayed directly with the pepper spray, but the review determined those claims were false.
“The law enforcement pepper spray our deputy employed on the ceiling and wall contains a bright orange dye, specifically designed to mark suspects once deployed,” Frederick said. “It’s pretty hard to miss, especially on someone’s face.”
Frederick said some parents of kids in attendance Saturday came to the Sheriff’s Office Monday and viewed the Emerald City Skate security tapes from the night of the incident.
One of the parents who viewed the tape was Greenwood’s Sharon Freeman, whose 10-year-old daughter was at the rink Saturday night.
“We did have to go to the emergency room Saturday,” Freeman said. “My daughter has chronic asthma and she got two breathing treatments and three prescriptions. I did see the security tape and what the officers had to deal with.”
Freeman said she has concerns about the amount of employees and security the rink had on hand for crowd of nearly 500.
“I just don’t think it’s very professional, having that small amount of employees trying to control 450-something people,” Freeman said.
Tammy Sampson, of Greenwood, had a 6-year-old grandson and 10-year-old nephew at the rink on Saturday night. She said when she got the call that there was a disturbance, she headed to the skating venue to see what the problem was.
“When I rolled up, a South Carolina Highway Patrolman yelled at me and other parents to ‘get your chaps in the car and get out of here,’” Sampson said. “I am very concerned about this situation.”
Sampson said she took her nephew and grandson to the emergency room as well. She said she thinks several people are at fault in the situation.
“The sheriff’s office handled this totally wrong,” Sampson said. “Why did they have to use that type of force? A lot of times when grown adults get in fights at clubs they don’t spray pepper like that.”
Sampson also criticized the skating rink.
“They did not have enough people to supervise 450 kids, period,” Sampson said. “They won’t be getting any more of my money, I’ll say that. Did they have 450 pairs of skates for these kids? Probably not.”
Sampson admitted she had not seen the security tape from the incident.
The Rev. Clara Barnes was accompanying Sampson Tuesday, and also gave her opinion of the situation.
“We want to make sure it is known that our children aren’t running wild in the streets,” Barnes said. “The police want respect , and they deserve it. But, if they want respect, they need to give respect.”
Frederick said officers sometimes have to take certain steps to quell a situation.
“Very often in situations like this law enforcement is criticized no matter what action we take or don’t take,” he said. “So we do what we know we have to do and try to get the facts out as best we can.”
The sheriff’s office also plans to continue its dialogue with the rink management in an effort to preclude similar disturbances in the future.

Suspect charged after kidnap

February 27, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after he allegedly attempted to drown his mother and kidnap a 4-year-old relative from her home.
Deputies charged Michael Derrick Auls, 23, of Greenwood, with first-degree burglary, assault and battery with intent to kill, kidnapping, child endangerment and driving under suspension.
According to a sheriff’s office release, Auls broke into the apartment of his mother, Lisa Ross, 41, on Haltiwanger Road and began to beat her. The report said he eventually tried to drown her in a tub full of water, but she was able to break free. Auls reportedly grabbed the 4-year-old child and fled in a Ford SUV.
Sheriff Dan Wideman added that when his office received the initial report, Auls had already fled the area with the child. The sheriff’s office immediately sent out an Amber Alert and began receiving intelligence assistance from state resources in Columbia.
Wideman said deputies canvassed the area and covered likely escape routes as investigators set up surveillance at several locations where intelligence led them to think Auls might go.
At one of those locations, investigator Wayne Findley spotted what he thought was Auls’ SUV traveling along Hwy 221. Findley radioed that information to other deputies and investigators who were covering that route, and within one minute three sheriff’s office units were on Auls’ trail.
Deputies finally ran Auls down near Highways 72 and 22, and six officers apprehended him without further incident. The child was reportedly unharmed.
“Everyone knows how terribly these types of calls can end,” Wideman said. “That’s why we train and have the systems in place to respond the way we do. More than 25 deputies were working on the case in some capacity within minutes.
“I ordered SWAT deputies to dress out in the event of a barricade situation, victim assistance counselors were activated, and our pilot was en route to the airport to get an observer airborne to start checking likely escape routes.”
Investigators say the abduction was not related to a custody issue, and that they have yet to determine a motive.

Obituaries

Lewis E. Belcher

ABBEVILLE — Lewis E. Belcher, age 65, of 201 Harrisburg Street, widower of Thelma London Belcher, passed away Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 at his home. Born in Abbeville County, he was the son of the late Brooks and Nadis Bernice Madison Belcher Black. He was a 1964 graduate of J.S. Wright High School and attended Voorhees College and Piedmont Tech. He owned and operated Belcher’s Plumbing Services as a master plumber, before retiring. He was a member of Grace Community Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Bernice (Eddie) Belcher-Hill of Abbeville and Pamela (Kevin) Belcher-Martin of Greenwood; a son, Andre Charles Bridges of Greenwood; a sister, Doris Black of Greenville; two brothers, Fred Belcher of Abbeville and Morris Black of Greenville; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services will be Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, with Dr. Rodney Schultz officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Long Cane A.M.E. Church Cemetery. The family is at the home. Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Diane Byrum

CHAPPELLS — Diane Henson Byrum, 60, of 954 Doc Holloway Road, wife of John J. Byrum, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at Hospice House in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Phil Manley

ABBEVILLE — Phillip “Phil” Rodney Manley, Sr., 52, resident of 43 Horne Road, husband of Beverly Hill Manley, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 at his home.
Born in Abbeville, SC, he was a son of Rebecca Reynolds Manley and the late Jessie Manley.
Phil was the maintanance supervisor at Abbeville Arms Apts. in Abbeville and attended Grace United Methodist Church.
Survivors are: mother, Rebecca Reynolds Manley of Abbeville, SC; wife, Beverly Hill Manley of the home; 2 sons, Rodney and Randall Manley of the home; 1 sister, Rachael Blackburn and her husband, Bill of Abbeville, SC; 1 brother, Mike Manley and his wife, Patsy of Abbeville, SC; a special adopted son, Austin New of Camden, SC.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 at 3 p.m. from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Darren Hook officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will recieve friends from 1 until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home, 43 Horne Road, Abbeville, SC.
Active pallbearers will be Steve Sutherland, Scott Sutherland, Michael Manley, Josh Hall, Ryan McMurtury and Steven Spires.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont 408 West Alexander Ave. Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Manley family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Beatrice Reid

Beatrice Reid, 71, of 522 Hall St., wife of Paul W. Reid, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Mary Grace Sanders

CALHOUN FALLS — Mary Grace Amanda Sanders, of Savannah Heights Living Center, McCormick, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at 227 Seneca Circle.
Service will be announced by Friendly Funeral Home.

‘Smitty’ Smith

Cephas Alford “Smitty” Smith, 91, former resident of 102 Sherwood Lane, widower of Dorothy Benjamin Smith, died Feb. 25, 2007 at Wesley Commons Healthcare Center.
Born July 15, 1915 in Pike County, Georgia, he was a son of the late William Virgil and Blannie Ross Smith. He attended public schools in Pridgen, Georgia, and retired in 1978 from Eastern Airlines in Miami, Florida.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Baracca Sunday School Class and the NGO Club.
Survivors include two brothers, Joseph V. Smith of Arlington, VA, and Arthur Smith of Doerun, GA; two sisters, Thelma Rhodes of Albany, GA, and Mary Bryant of Cummings, GA; special friends, Jim and Jean Stirling of Greenville, TN, and Hayne and Donna Boozer of Greenwood.
Cryptside services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Greenwood Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum, with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the mausoleum.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to the First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Smith family.

William Talbert Jr.

McCORMICK — William Monroe Talbert, Jr., 71, resident of 1578 Greenwood Hwy., widower of Beverly Sly Talbert, died Feb. 25, 2007 at Savannah Heights Living Center.
Born in McCormick County, Oct. 6, 1935, he was a son of the late William Monroe Sr. and Mabel Strom Talbert. He was retired from the Greenwood County Vocational Rehabilitation Workshop and later retired from the South Carolina National Guard.
Mr. Talbert was a member of Bethany Baptist Church.
Surviving are a son, Michael W. Talbert and wife, Wanda of the home; a daughter, Lori Robinson and husband, Steve of Due West; three sisters, Sally Byrd of McCormick, Anne Bailey of Florence and Elaine Robertson of Shelby, NC; a brother, Harvey Talbert of McCormick; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Lloyd Prince and Rev. C.B. Love officiating.
Honorary escort will be members and retirees of the 122nd Engineering Battalion of the SC National Guard.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood.
The family is at the home on Greenwood Hwy. and will receive friends at Bethany Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Marvin Palmer, 3182 Upper Mill Road, McCormick, SC 29835.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Talbert family.

Louise P. Willis

WARE SHOALS — Louise Pearman Willis, 84, of 12 Ware St., widow of Robert M. Willis, died Sunday, Feb. 25,2007 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont. She was born in Donalds, a daughter of the late James Floyd and Ethel Smith Pearman and was retired from Park Seed Co.
She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Surviving are one son, Jim Willis, Ware Shoals; three daughters, Mitzi Brown and husband, Art , Ware Shoals, Katherine Culbertson, and husband, Donnie, Bennettsville, and Donna Knight and husband, Rod , Anderson; one sister, Virginia Dunlap, Donalds; grandchildren, Ryan Camak and wife, Quinn and daughter, Ava, Blake Camak and wife, Melissa, Tarah Boykin and husband, Ryan and daughter, Mia and Emily Myers and husband, Brian.
She was predeceased by a son, Kenneth Lee Willis and a brother, James Floyd “Buck” Pearman, Jr.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home, with Rev. Leon Jones and Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Members of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class will serve as honorary escort.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646
The family is at 422 Old Shoals Junction Road, and will receive friends 1-2 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Opinion

Skating rink disturbance bound to bring questions

February 27, 2007

Crowd mentality, it seems, is more often than not devoid of common sense. It can breed terrible circumstances. In such an environment it only takes one or two people to incite passions ..... often negative passions that can lead to conflict, whether verbally or physically.
That apparently was the case last Saturday night when a disturbance broke out at a local skating facility and law enforcement officers from at least three agencies were called to restore order.
Unfortunately, the officers were prevented, for a while, from getting the situation back to normal and felt it was necessary to release pepper spray into the air.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THOUGH, everyone was fortunate in that no one was seriously injured.
There’s been a tendency of late, it seems, for some people to blame law enforcement officers for doing what the public expects and pays them to do. Put that in perspective. What kind of slings and arrows would they have to endure if they didn’t step in and restore order in such situations and they get out of hand?
When disputes occur in a crowded environment it’s a made-to-order recipe for violence, where the consequences could be severe. If that kind of behavioral bomb can be defused without serious injury those involved can be thankful. So can the community.
There must be questions, though, in some minds.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT’S REPORTED that five-year-old kids were in the crowd. Why, at 10 o’clock on a Saturday night? Does anyone wonder about that? It was also reported that a female elected to be medically examined because she was pregnant. She was 14 years old. Fourteen! Some must wonder if anybody else wonders about that, too.
Could it be that bad behavior is, unfortunately, being condoned more and more by otherwise responsible people, including many parents? Or could it be that too many of us nowadays are unwilling to establish rules of behavior and enforce them?
Excessive permissiveness perhaps? Changing values? No values? Or is it just plain old-fashioned indifference? Irresponsibility exacts a high price, especially when parents and children are involved. Make that when parents are not involved ..... or don’t care.