🌱 ACLU Slams CPD For Biased Arrests + Housing Maintenance Plan

Hey, Charleston! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right.

---

First, today's weather:

Showers, heavy thunderstorm. High: 72 Low: 66.

---

Here are the top stories in Charleston today:

1. The ACLU of South Carolina released a report which evidently shows "staggering racial disparities" in Charleston arrests and citations. The report pulled data from the Charleston Police Department's Open Data Portal, and its findings suggest that the department is still spending "the majority of its time arresting people for low-level offenses like marijuana possession and open container of alcohol and does so with a staggering racial bias," the ACLU wrote. Despite Charleston having a 21.7 percent Black population, Black individuals comprised the majority of the CPD's arrests for certain crimes, including open containers of alcohol, marijuana sale and possession, suspended licenses, and youth disorderly conduct. (WCBD News 2)
2. The Charleston Housing Authority has announced a plan to handle maintenance requests faster across the city's apartment complexes. Art Milligan, COO of the Housing Authority, says the city is switching from a project-based maintenance system to system-based maintenance, which puts people with specialty talents together to handle issues more efficiently. The new maintenance program focuses on urgency, says Milligan, and Charleston will be monitoring work orders more carefully. (ABC NEWS 4)
3. Local cops arrested 28-year-old Tyhier Lasan Grant of Charleston for setting a cross on fire at Eastside Missionary Baptist Church on 584 Meeting Street on Saturday. Grant faces charges of third-degree arson and malicious injury to a place of worship. (Live 5 News WCSC)
4. The South Carolina Department of Transportation says dozen of local homes and businesses may be affected by the upcoming I-526 improvement project, between the Wando River Bridge and the Long Point Road Interchange. (ABC NEWS 4)
5. The Charleston Police Department is preparing for a busy Halloween weekend in the city's Central Business District, where law enforcement plans to monitor for drunk drivers and more all in an effort to keep people safe. (WCBD News 2)

---

Today's Charleston Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Planning to buy or refinance a home? Here's what you need to know about the five types of mortgage loans (and which one is right for you). Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

---

Today in Charleston:

• Free Food : Comida Gratis (2:00 PM)
• Trick or Treat BOO THRU ( Hampton Park ) (3:30 PM)
• Committee on Community Development - City of Charleston (4:30 PM)
• Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Board (5:30 PM)

---

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• C.W. Electrical Construction Service — Common electrical repair problems / Lights and Switch.Smoke Dec
• Add your business here

Events:

• Save 15 Percent On Boo-tiful Flowers This Halloween! (October 31)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 2)
• Social Security Webinar (November 10 and November 15)
• Add your event

---

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll see you around. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.