GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) – The city of Georgetown approved a written ordinance involving a behavioral health center that lost its license to operate in a vote last week.
Georgetown City Council voted 4-1 to formalize Broadstep Behavioral Health Center’s business license. Last week, the center’s business license was revoked by a 6-1 vote, citing public nuisance.
“I know our police chief; I know the city has reached out,” said Council Member Al Joseph. “I know the city has done everything in our power to try to mitigate these issues that we have with Broadstep. It’s unfortunate that it has come to this point, but it seemed to us – it seemed to me, I’ll say personally – that Broadstep didn’t reach out to us until the business license was revoked.
City Police Chief William Pierce said he requested the center’s license not be renewed because they have received about 150 calls for service and 70 incident reports related to the facility in the past two years.
Pierce said those incidents included fights, disturbances and a sexual assault.
“I really just thought the evidence was overwhelming,” Joseph said of last week’s hearing. “It’s unfortunate. We’re talking about children. That’s the main thing: making sure the children are taken care of, but the city’s case was strong.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services said the children living at the facility are victims of abuse or neglect by their families or caregivers.
Council member Hobson Milton was the only vote against last week’s written order to revoke the business license.
“I think this is the price they pay,” Milton said. “I think what we should have done if we allowed them to come into the city of Georgetown, we should have done our homework. I don’t think the city of Georgetown did their homework. You know, you bring kids who — troublesome children – you will have problems you will have some problems with them, but all children are not bad.
Broadstep attorney Lewis Gossett said by phone that the children still live in the 32-bed facility off Highmarket Street, but they are no longer adding to the facility because of the denial of the business license.
Gossett said the children’s daily lives will continue as normal for now as the trial moves forward.
“I think on both sides, the city and Broadstep, there was a lack of communication,” said Milton. “I think about what is fair for the children, that’s why I voted against it.”
When asked about the future of the children, DSS said “the agency is currently formulating a plan with the affected parties and has no further comment.”
“I hope the kids will be able to relocate and be relocated very quickly,” Joseph said. “I hope they are moved to a facility that puts their needs first and makes sure they are taken care of in every way, which is what we would have hoped for with this facility as well.”
After Thursday’s vote, the city attorney said the written order will be served on Broadstep in the coming days.
Gossett said his client is still undecided about a potential appeal to the circuit court. If they don’t appeal, he said, DSS will begin re-licensing facilities for the children who currently live in the center.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
