Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
The team at SRP Federal Credit Union in Barnwell has joined forces with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office to hand out 500 backpacks stuffed with school supplies at the third annual Law Enforcement Expo on August 12.
The first 500 children to attend the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office’s (BCSO) third annual Law Enforcement Expo on Saturday, August 12 will receive a backpack filled with school supplies courtesy of SRP Federal Credit Union.
BCSO and its vast network of over 200 community partners have joined forces to make this event happen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Barnwell County Airport grounds with the theme “Love More, Serve More.”
The purpose of the expo is to provide the community with an opportunity to get to know the available local resources and the individuals who run them. When Sheriff Steve Griffith was first elected, bettering community relations was one of his main goals.
“The goal is to get the community, especially the youth, to trust law enforcement,” said Sheriff Griffith, who notes events like the expo are steps in the right direction. “We want to see more youth there than we've ever seen before.”
After children eat the free hotdogs and hamburgers provided by the South Carolina Regional Housing Authority #3, they are welcome to meet officers from law enforcement agencies across the state and Georgia. Each agency is welcome to bring equipment such as robots, tactical gear, and more for children and adults to learn about.
Colleges, universities, churches, schools, and state and local agencies will all be in attendance sharing information about the services they offer. Mental health, substance abuse agencies, and other support services will also be present to share their resources.
Although BCSO’s expo has won national awards for the past two years, Sheriff Griffith said the only reward he hopes for this year is for the community to benefit from this event. He hopes citizens leave with a different view of those who serve and protect as well as more information about the resources available to them.
“I think our little county is probably the best little county in the state,” said Sheriff Griffith, whose love for his community is evident through his determination to hold events like this.
All are welcome to the Barnwell County Airport grounds located along Highway 278 in Barnwell on August 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the first 500 children receiving backpacks with school supplies.
