Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced on Mar. 24 that the Town of Summerville Police Department has received $625,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s COPS Office Hiring Program to fund five new police officer positions.
The funding comes as Summerville and Dorchester County have experienced significant growth since 2020, leading to increased demands on public safety services. The grant aims to support community policing and crime prevention as the region continues to expand.
Mace said, “Keeping our communities safe is non-negotiable, and it starts with making sure law enforcement has the personnel and support to do their jobs. Summerville is one of the fastest-growing communities in South Carolina, and public safety must keep pace. When local leaders made it clear more officers were needed, we got to work. This funding puts more officers on the street and keeps our community safe. Plain and simple.” Her office worked closely with local officials to identify federal funding opportunities after they highlighted a need for additional officers.
Chris Hirsch, Deputy Chief of Police for the Summerville Police Department, said: “We are grateful to receive this funding through the COPS Hiring Program, which will help us continue providing a high level of service to the Summerville community. We are especially thankful for all lawmakers who continue to support law enforcement, our initiatives, and invest in public safety.”
The department has been recognized for its community engagement efforts such as the “Dignity Project,” which focuses on building trust between officers and residents.
Nancy Mace is currently serving in Congress representing South Carolina’s 1st district after replacing Joe Cunningham in 2021 according to her biography. She previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 until 2020 as reported by Ballotpedia. Born in Fort Bragg in 1977, Mace now lives in Charleston according to The New York Times, and she graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 as noted by The Citadel.
