Island police say environment laid-back, well, most of the time

JESSICA JOHNSON
The Post and Courier

Isle of Palms Administrative Sgt. Kim Usry demonstrates an arrest with the help of Isaiah Cousins, 2, of Goose Creek, son of Army Sgt. Timothy Cousins, while taking part in Law Enforcement Day.

In a small police department like the Isle of Palms, just 20 officers strong, employees do a little bit of everything.

As Tropical Storm Hanna approached, even police detectives and administrators were called in just in case things got bad.

Administrative Sgt. Kim Usry, 43, patrolled as the wind and rain picked up. She had told new officers to be aware of everything as they drove down the barrier island's roads. And she seemed to be aware as well.

Passing through the dark streets, Usry spotted people gathering on a backyard screen porch and a black cat curled up on equipment sitting outside the Isle of Palms Marina.

On this night, the scrawny sleeping cat was about the only thing outdoors. After nearly an hour of driving down the wet residential streets, Usry saw the flicker of headlights from up the road. It was just another Isle of Palms patrol car.

Nights aren't always so quiet. Usry and other officers came to work on the island because they love the normally relaxed environment.

"I wanted less stress in my life," Usry said.

Usry of Goose Creek had been operating a sandwich shop on John Street in downtown Charleston. She worked many hours a day, seven days a week, and had no time off.

As an administrative officer on the Isle of Palms, she has a chance to slow down from time to time.

Riding around during the storm made for a mostly uneventful night. Even the Kangaroo station had closed.

But she spotted a man tugging on a woman as the woman pulled out of a front beach parking lot. Usry called it in as an altercation, and every car on duty rushed to the parking lot, including an officer from neighboring Sullivan's Island.

Usry asked the man several times to get out of the car, but he refused and eventually was arrested.

"Three strikes and you're out with me," Usry said.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.