Palmetto Summerville obtains permit for $136,000 fence

Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health paid for a town permit to erect a new fence Thursday. The facility's current privacy fence, outfitted with lattice atop it, has been blamed for an April incident when four patients fled into nearby neighborhoods.

A similar incident occurred , sandwiched by two Summerville Police Department incident reports responding to alleged assault within the facility ( and ). 

With the fee paid, Palmetto Summerville can begin construction immediately, according to Charlie Miller, director of planning and economic development with the town.

"We've been waiting since April," Miller said.

After the April incident, Palmetto Summerville released a statement saying work would be done on the fence.

"We kind of put a bit of pressure on them about it because those kids shouldn't be able to get out at will," Miller said.

The fence, which will cost $136,000 and be erected by Great Dane Contracting of North Charleston, will be 12 feet high and 42-inches in the ground. For the first six feet, the fence will be chain link. The upper six feet will be constructed of a fine 5/8-inch mesh to deter climbing. The final two feet of the fence will angle inward at 45 degrees.

This new fence will be installed about three feet inside the existing fence. Miller suggested Palmetto Summerville keep the privacy fence but remove the lattice work that was thrown up as a temporary measure to deter escapes.

Town council will have a further discussion on the mental health facility during a special meeting 4 p.m. Monday. Mayor Bill Collins has said that discussion will occur during open session. Also, the hand-drawn design for the fence should be available to the public then.