In South Carolina, we like to believe we live in communities where kids are safe at school, families can gather without fear, and crime is something that happens "somewhere else." But after nearly three decades in law enforcement, including deep undercover work, task force command, and serving twice as a Chief of Police, I can tell you the truth: criminal street gangs are operating in every county of our state. From rural areas to city centers, no part of South Carolina is immune.

And yet—our laws haven’t kept up with this growing threat.

A Statewide Problem We Can’t Keep Ignoring

In Clarendon County, a young mother was killed and several teenagers injured at a graduation party during what authorities believe was a gang-related drive-by shooting. In Spartanburg County, a shootout tied to gang activity claimed a young man’s life. These aren’t isolated incidents. Law enforcement leaders across South Carolina have repeatedly warned that gang violence is on the rise and has spread far beyond traditional hotspots.

According to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chief Mark Keel, gangs are present and active in all 46 counties of our state. This isn’t speculation—it’s based on field intelligence, arrests, and patterns of criminal activity. But despite their presence, actually charging gang members and holding them accountable under current South Carolina law is extremely difficult.

Under our current statutes, it’s not illegal to be a gang member in South Carolina. That’s right—just being part of a gang, even a violent one, isn’t a crime. Prosecutors can only charge specific criminal acts—murder, robbery, drug trafficking—but they have no effective way to charge the organized structure behind those acts. Worse, it’s incredibly difficult to legally designate someone as a gang member.

To do so, prosecutors must prove that the gang has at least five members and has committed four or more specific crimes within a two-year period. This creates a nearly impossible burden of proof, especially when many gangs intentionally operate in the shadows to avoid detection.

Even when a gang-related crime occurs, there’s no gang enhancement penalty. That means if a known gang member carries out a drive-by shooting, the gang affiliation itself carries no additional consequence under current law.

As Solicitor Duffie Stone has pointed out, South Carolina’s two main gang-related laws—criminalizing the recruitment of new members and preventing members from leaving a gang—are rarely used because they carry relatively light penalties and are nearly impossible to prove in court.

The result of these legal shortcomings is simple: gang leaders avoid prosecution, gang foot soldiers are quickly replaced, and violence continues unchecked. Officers arrest someone for a gang shooting, only to see their associates retaliate within days. Gang members know South Carolina’s laws are weak—and they exploit that.

Even worse, gangs are increasingly recruiting teenagers and children, knowing that consequences are minimal. In counties like Lexington and Richland, officials have reported a disturbing rise in gang recruitment targeting young people. Without stronger laws, there is little to deter adults from using minors as pawns in violent criminal enterprises.

A Solution on the Table: Anti-Gang Legislation

Right now, the South Carolina General Assembly has legislation pending that would fix these problems. The proposed South Carolina Gang and Criminal Enterprise Prevention Act would:

• Establish stronger definitions of gang membership and activity

• Create penalties for criminal acts committed in furtherance of a gang

• Provide sentencing enhancements for gang-related violent crimes

• Crack down on gang recruitment, especially involving minors

• Allow prosecutors to target gangs as enterprises rather than isolated criminals

This is exactly the kind of legislation our law enforcement officers need. It doesn’t criminalize association or violate civil liberties—it focuses on those who commit crimes in coordination with criminal gangs.

Why This Matters to Every South Carolinian

Gang violence doesn’t just affect gang members. It affects families at graduation parties, students in school, and neighbors who get caught in the crossfire. It fuels drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal weapons trade, and more. And it erodes the public’s trust that the justice system can keep them safe.

In Greenville County—my home and a place where I’ve proudly served—the presence of organized gang activity is very real. I’ve worked with officers who’ve responded to drive-by shootings in quiet neighborhoods, served warrants on gang-linked drug houses, and investigated crimes where retaliation was almost guaranteed. The Upstate is not immune. If anything, our location makes us a transit hub for drugs and weapons flowing from Atlanta and Charlotte—two cities where gangs are well entrenched.

A Call to Action

It’s time for lawmakers in Columbia to stand with law enforcement and pass meaningful gang legislation. South Carolinians must demand that their elected officials take this threat seriously and give prosecutors the tools they need to protect our communities.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about protecting lives, restoring safety, and making sure the worst offenders face real consequences.

Let’s stop pretending this problem doesn’t exist in our backyard. It does. And if we don’t act now, the cost will be paid in blood and broken lives.

Keith Grounsell is a two-time Chief of Police, former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent, and seasoned law enforcement consultant with over 26 years of experience at the city, county, state, federal, and international levels. 

He is the author of Leadership Under Fire, Shattered Chains: Human Trafficking Uncovered, and the A Narc’s Tale book series. Keith currently partners with law enforcement agencies nationwide to enhance operations, modernize technology, and deliver advanced training for officers on topics ranging from undercover operations to leadership development.●