Blythewood cancels July 4th and Juneteenth events, citing safety concerns

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In the first 24 hours after Blythewood’s town council voted to, in their words, “pause” several popular events, reaction on social media and in the community was swift, with hundreds going online to make their opinions known.

Thursday afternoon, Blythewood Council Member Rick McKenrick and Mayor Pro-Tem Donald Brock, Jr. explained their decisions.

“For me, it was keeping the families and children of Blythewood safe,” McKenrick said.

At Wednesday evening’s special called budget meeting, the council voted four to one to cancel this year’s Movie in the Park events, their Juneteenth celebration, and the town’s annual Rockin’ Red, White and Blue Fourth of July celebration.

McKenrick said growing violence over the last several weeks convinced him it was time to do something.

“You get the same occurrence happening over and over and over. So, council had to take a pause, and that’s what we called it in the meeting last night. We’re not saying to the Blythewood residents (that) we’re done with public events,” McKenrick said.

So, what does the councilman need to see for the events to resume?

“There has to be a plan put forward. Council asked for that plan. We were told we were going to get that plan and we’re in the middle of budgeting for 25-26 right now, and there’s no funds allocated in the budget,” McKenrick said.

The council did approve a mutual aid agreement Wednesday between the town and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, but McKenrick said that just continues the level of service that Blythewood is already receiving.

“It continues what Richland County does for us and has done for us for years,” he said.

Blythewood Mayor Pro-Tem Donald Brock, Jr. said now is the right time for the pause.

“I feel that it’s a tinderbox in Blythewood right now just waiting to explode, and to keep residents safe, whether they live here, whether they live in the county, whether they’re just passing through, we just felt like we had to just take a pause and just let things cool down,” Brock, Jr. explained.

Whether it’s called a pause or a cancellation, residents took to social media to share their frustration.

Coleen Pierre said the decision just gives power to the troublemakers and takes away people’s enjoyment. Instead of canceling the events, Lauren Tuten suggested increasing security by utilizing more deputies from the sheriff’s department. Martha Ann Trapp urged patience and encouraged her fellow residents to give officials and law enforcement time to agree on a plan.

News19 also heard from vendors who were looking forward to this year’s Fourth of July event. One said they recently spent $130 to renew their Blythewood business license and now wonder if they will be able to recoup that cost.

Council members are encouraging residents to come to Doko Manor at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, to share their thoughts and possible solutions with the council.