Declining crime rates, proactive law enforcement, and judicial accountability remain priorities for District 66 representative.
FORT MILL, S.C. — For families in Fort Mill and Tega Cay, public safety can be easy to take for granted until it begins to erode. Fortunately, York County is moving in the right direction, and State Representative Jackie Terribile (R–District 66) is highlighting the importance of strong law enforcement and accountability in keeping local communities safe.
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, total offenses declined 9% from 2024 to 2025, while calls for service fell 6%. In the Fort Mill area, vehicle break-ins dropped 16% through proactive policing and public education.
“Those numbers mean fewer victims and safer neighborhoods for the families who call our community home,” said Terribile. “But keeping a community safe requires more than good policing. It takes strong law enforcement, prosecutors who hold criminals accountable, and judges who faithfully uphold the law.”
Under Sheriff Tony Breeden, the York County Sheriff’s Office continues to tackle serious crime beyond local neighborhoods. Through Operation Huntsman, York County deputies partnered with state and federal agencies in an online child-exploitation investigation that resulted in the arrests of 11 suspected predators.
Supporting law enforcement has been a priority for Terribile in Columbia. She backed legislation to provide tax relief for law enforcement officers and other first responders and supported efforts to make it easier to recruit qualified officers.
But an effective criminal justice system doesn’t end when an arrest is made.
South Carolina legislators have an important responsibility that many residents may not realize: they elect the state’s judges. Terribile says she takes that responsibility seriously.
“The decisions made in our courtrooms affect victims, law enforcement, families, and the overall safety of our communities,” Terribile said. “That’s why judicial reform has also been a priority for me.”
Terribile supported reforms to improve South Carolina’s judicial selection process and sponsored additional legislation aimed at increasing accountability and independence in how judicial candidates are screened.
Just across the state line, Charlotte provides a cautionary example of the concerns surrounding repeat offenders cycling through the criminal justice system.
“We cannot allow failed soft-on-crime policies to take hold here,” Terribile said. “Our families deserve safe neighborhoods, and that means supporting the men and women who enforce our laws and making sure our justice system holds criminals accountable.”
About Representative Jackie Terribile
Jackie Terribile represents South Carolina House District 66, including portions of Fort Mill and Tega Cay. She serves on the House Education and Public Works Committee and advocates for public safety, judicial accountability, fiscal responsibility, and limited government.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
