Carl Ritchie Sworn in as Charleston Sheriff

Carl Ritchie was sworn in as the new sheriff of Charleston County, succeeding Kristin Graziano after narrowly winning the election with 51% of the vote. Ritchie, formerly the police chief of Mount Pleasant, has proposed a five-point safety plan for the county’s detention center, including hiring a professional jail administrator and providing 24/7 EMT support. Although he initially supported reinstating the ICE 287(g) program, he has decided to delay it pending the next administration's policies. Other leadership changes include Sam Richardson becoming the new sheriff of Dorchester County, the first Black Republican sheriff in South Carolina. Richardson aims to leverage technology and increase patrols to enhance public safety. These transitions highlight a period of change and new leadership in local governance and law enforcement.