Bamberg County Secures $1 Million Appropriation for New Law Enforcement Center

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Posted by 08/08/2023 Categories: bamberg south carolina community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

 

To:      News Media, Community Leaders, and Bamberg County Citizens

From: Bamberg County Administration

Date:  August 8, 2023

Re:      Bamberg County Secures $1 Million Appropriation for New Law Enforcement Center

 

Bamberg, South Carolina (August 2023) –The Bamberg County administration and the Bamberg County legislative delegation, led by State Representative Justin Bamberg (District 90), are working  toward the completion of a new law enforcement center that will be located in a portion of the former Bamberg County Memorial Hospital building. The grand opening and dedication of the Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center occurred on July 28. The building is named in honor of former Bamberg County Sheriff Edward Darnell, the third longest serving sheriff in the nation. 

 

The Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center currently houses the sheriff and SC Probation, Parole, and Pardon (PPP) departments. With the $1 million appropriation that was approved by the SC Ways and Means Committee at the request of Rep. Bamberg, the center will eventually house an Emergency Operations Center as well as EMS and coroner offices. 

 

Representative Justin Bamberg said despite “local projects funding being significantly lessened this budget period,” Bamberg County was fortunate to secure “$1 million toward the repurposing of the Bamberg County Memorial Hospital building.”

 

Bamberg County Council Chairman Dr. Jonathan Goodman remarked, “The Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center will serve as a positive beacon for our citizens while honoring one of Bamberg’s finest public servants. It will also demonstrate how with vision, teamwork, and effort, a building whose windows were once shuttered can become a source of pride.”

 

Additionally, Bamberg County Council Vice Chair Evert Comer said, “The new law enforcement center has been a long time coming, and we are thankful to everyone who helped us get to this point.”

 

Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston thanked Representative Justin Bamberg for “helping to secure the $1 million appropriation from the General Assembly” and said, “Without his leadership, it is unlikely that this funding would have been approved.” Preston also thanked Senator Brad Hutto for his support and assistance with making the Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center a reality.