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Hembree says domestic violence, drugs and illegal immigrants are big problems

By Scott Harper, sharper@gtowntimes.com September 20, 2006


Five of the last six murders in Georgetown County have been the result of domestic violence and two of the last three have involved illegal immigrants.

Both of those facts are disturbing to Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Greg Hembree who addressed the Waccamaw Neck Republican Club Monday night.

Hembree, who is up for re-election this year but has no opposition, said the illegal immigration problem along the Grand Strand has increased dramatically since he took office in 1998.

Since becoming solicitor, Hembree has watched as the immigration problem grew from something that was only big in other places to a problem for Georgetown and Horry Counties.

“It is now my problem. It’s a situation that has exploded. At first, the illegal immigrants were committing minor crimes like driving under suspension or without insurance. Now, they are responsible for murder,” Hembree said.

What to do about the problem is something for which Hembree said he does not have the answer. He said he feels no one in the federal government is doing anything about the situation.

“I encourage you to call your lawmakers,” Hembree told the nearly three dozen people in attendance. “Maybe if some of (the elected officials) were fired over this, things may change. If someone runs against them on this single issue and wins, the others may wise up.”

Hembree said something that “crawls under” his skin is the fact that when an illegal immigrant is arrested, they are granted the same rights as Americans, which is an extra cost to taxpayers because it means court-appointed translators have to be hired for at least $25 per hour.

“If the federal government gives the same rights and privileges to illegal immigrants, it dramatically diminishes the value of my citizenship,” Hembree said. “If they are the same as us, why do we fight?”

While illegal immigration is a problem, Hembree said it is not the biggest problem facing his office. He said domestic violence and drug situations are numbers one and two on that list.

Hembree said he is about to hire two new prosecutors – one for Horry County and one for Georgetown County – whose job will be to work only domestic violence cases.

“It won’t solve all our domestic violence cases, but it will be a piece of a solution,” he said. “Domestic violence will not stop until there is a change in the mind set of people.”

He said he sees domestic violence sort of like smoking. Nowadays, smokers, he said, are looked down upon by many in society but smoking used to be completely accepted. Until domestic violence is no longer accepted by society, it will not go away, he said.
Other topics discussed by Hembree included:

• The Five Rivers Community Development Corporation. Hembree said he has not yet begun an investigation on the non-profit organization accused of mismanagement — and possible illegal use — of funds. He said he has “opened a file” on the matter but was waiting to see what the Secretary of State’s office decides to do.

He said he has not received a formal request to launch an investigation.
Sen. Ray Cleary, who was in the audience, said he would send Hembree a formal request to have an investigation conducted.

“We’re about to crank it up,” Hembree said.

Hembree said it’s too early to tell if federal investigators will get involved in the case.

• Gang Activity. Hembree said while it’s still a minor problem on the Grand Strand compared to other places, gang activity is on the increase.
“There is a lot in Charleston, Columbia and Florence but we have some Crypts and Bloods here as well,” he said.

Prison is one place gang membership grows and when those people are released, they start recruiting members on the outside, he said.