After a home invasion that sparked concern among residents, a Mount Pleasant homeowner is standing by the police department, praising their follow-up response and calling for community unity.
Home Invasion Raises Safety Concerns
The incident happened early last Friday around 3 a.m., when Alex Skatell’s home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was broken into while his family slept upstairs. Skatell discovered the intrusion hours later at 6 a.m., when he saw a notification from his home security system.
The security footage showed a person entering the home, reportedly wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying what appeared to be a weapon. The intruder took his wife’s purse, handwritten thank-you cards, and family photos.
Skatell immediately called the Mount Pleasant Police Department, but because the break-in happened hours earlier, the police took nearly an hour to arrive. This delay triggered criticism from some residents, prompting the department to admit that their response “fell short” of their own standards.
Skatell Defends Mount Pleasant Police
Despite the delayed response, Skatell came forward to defend the police officers.
“I want the public to understand how dedicated our officers are. The police who responded to my home were willing to enter a house not knowing what or who they would encounter on the other side of the door,” said Skatell.
“Yes, it was frightening, but I am not afraid, and my family is not going to live in fear.”
Police Improve Response Time After Incident
The very next night, Skatell’s motion sensors were triggered again. This time, dozens of officers arrived at his home within minutes.
Since the break-in, there has been an increase in police patrols around the area, which many neighbors have welcomed. However, some residents spoke at a Town Council meeting, urging local leaders to invest more in public safety.
“There’s plenty of money to put towards the safety of this community,” said local resident Mike Van Horn. “I hope the council will look at those situations to put the money where it belongs.”
Officials Respond to Community Concerns
Police Chief Arnold acknowledged both the initial delay and the community’s concern, while also appreciating Skatell’s public support.
“While the initial incident raised understandable concern, his acknowledgment of our officers’ response during the follow-up incident means a great deal,” said Chief Arnold.
“It reflects the dedication our men and women show every day.”
Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie also thanked Skatell for sharing his experience:
“His words as a resident say more about the capabilities of our police department and the attitude of our town leadership than anything we could say ourselves,” said the Mayor.
Skatell Urges Community to Support Police
Skatell is now encouraging residents to back the police as they continue investigating the case and working to catch the suspect.
“The person who came into our home is the one who should be living in fear,” Skatell said.
“They awakened a community that does not take this threat lightly. Mount Pleasant will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”
The police say the investigation is still active, and they are working hard to identify and arrest the intruder.
