CLIO— Last Saturday, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with newly elected Marlboro County Councilman Adrian Kenney, Bennettsville Police Chief Sammy Crosland, Clio Mayor Adam Pate, Maxton Mayor Christopher Bethea-McDougal and Tim McCoy worked together to hold a very special community Anti-Gun Violence Rally. The event also included guest speaker Shawn Smart from Asheville. Smart, sharing a cautionary tale, told of his experiences with making wrong decisions that ended up with him incarcerated.
Chief Deputy Larry Turner with the MCSO said they were very excited to be a part of such a worthy event for the community.
“Stopping gun violence is not just the responsibility of deputies or police officers, it requires citizens, parents, educators, businesses, faith leaders, and law enforcement working together. When everyone takes ownership of public safety, communities become stronger, safer, and better places to live,” Turner said.
He also said he was very impressed with the turnout for McColl’s second Anti-Gun Violence rally this summer.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight. If one person speaks to another, and that person shares the message with someone else, the impact continues to grow. You have to crawl before you can walk. It takes someone willing to step forward, carry the torch, and become the spark that inspires others to follow, that’s how real progress begins,” Turner explained.
He went on to point out violence rarely occurs in isolation, instead it is often influenced by a person’s home life, the presence of positive role models, or, and in many cases, the absence of them.
Turner said, “The speakers themselves have a different perspective shaped by personal experience with gun violence. Hearing those different journeys reinforced that preventing gun violence requires more than law enforcement alone. It takes parents, mentors, educators, faith leaders, and the entire community working together to provide guidance, support, and hope for the next generation— this is why holding events like this are so impactful.”
During the event, Sheriff Larry McNeil emphasized that “accountability starts at home.”
Adding on, Turner shared, “While every situation is different, parents and guardians play a critical role in knowing where their children are, who they are spending time with, and what they are doing. Young people need guidance, supervision, and consistent accountability. When there are no consequences for poor decisions early on, those behaviors can become more serious over time. Too often, we see social media filled with posting “free my family” “free my homie;” real support isn’t just standing behind someone after they are arrested, it is helping keep them from ending up in that situation in the first place. Changing the culture starts at home.”
Stressed during the rally was needing the involvement of parents, guardians, and teachers to turn the tide of violence.
Turner said, “It starts with parents and guardians who are involved, set expectations, hold their children accountable, and teach them that their choices have consequences. When families, schools, mentors, faith leaders, and law enforcement all work together, we give our young people the best opportunity to make positive decisions and build a brighter future.”
Bennettsville Police Chief Sammy Crossland said it was an honor to be involved in the anti-gun and violence rally.
“Events such as this are important because they provide opportunities for law enforcement, community leaders, families, and citizens to come together and send a clear message that violence should never be accepted as a normal part of our communities,” Crosland said.
Chief Crosland said he felt the keynote speaker, Shawn Smart, delivered a very powerful and meaningful message.
He said, “His personal testimony regarding the impact of gun violence was both moving and thought-provoking. Hearing his first-hand experience put a very real face on the consequences that gun violence can have on individuals, families, and the entire community.
In addition to sharing his testimony, Smart provided information that helped those in attendance better understand the seriousness of the issue and the importance of prevention, awareness, and community involvement.
Crosland says attending events like the one in Clio is important to him and his department because he feels law enforcement has a duty extending beyond making arrests and responding to calls.
“We have a responsibility to be present in our communities, listen to our citizens, and work together with them to address issues. Law enforcement cannot prevent violence alone. Rallies like this one give communities an opportunity to stand together, raise awareness, encourage responsible decision-making, and remind our young people that there are positive alternatives to violence.”
In addition to showing the community is involved, and standing together against violence, Crosland says the event also highlights how the town of Clio is coming together to invest in a safer future for their community.
He said, “I am proud to have been a part of this event and proud to stand alongside those who are committed to reducing violence and making our community safer. This is not simply a law enforcement issue, it is a community issue, and it will take all of us working together to make a lasting difference.”
Clio Mayor Adam Pate said he found being a part of the gun violence prevention event to be a powerful reminder that addressing gun violence requires more than just reacting after a tragedy occurs.
He said, “We have to be willing to have the difficult conversations before it happens. One of the most important things we can do is teach our youth and young adults about the consequences of gun violence and give them the tools and directions to resolve conflict without turning to violence. No problem is ever solved with a gun. Pulling a trigger doesn’t erase anger, settle an argument or fix a disagreement; it only creates more pain and a bigger problem.”
Mayor Pate added that he strongly believes parents, and other adults, have a responsibility to have deep, honest conversations with our youth.
“Our young people are watching what we do and how we handle conflict. Preventing gun violence is a responsibility we all share. If we want to see a safer future, we have to be willing to make an effort to invest in our youth, start the conversations, and show them there is always a better way forward than gun violence,” said Pate.
Local face painter Garnett Goins came out to do some face painting and fellowship with her neighbors.
She said, “It was a great time and the kids really enjoyed it.”