Municipal Court of Loris hires new clerk

 With a new administration and new mayor and two crucial resignations within the last year the City of Loris is making changes for the better.

On Monday, Feb. 3, Keith Massey was at his post ready for training and working with Jenna Winborne to become more familiar with the job.

Keith Massey has accepted the position of Clerk of Court for the Municipal Court in Loris.  He has 13 years of experience in law enforcement and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from Columbia College and has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science.

He is familiar with Loris, having grown up here since fifth grade and graduating from Loris High School where he played varsity soccer four years for the Lions.

In his work with the Loris Police Department he has attained a respect for and from the citizens as well as the business owners here in the city. He has experience in the business side having been employed by Patriot Healthcare where he was in charge of emergency management, emergency preparedness, he started their emergency fleet purchasing emergency vehicles for the employees and was on the business operations side there.  He said, “I was the director of business operations and had multiple duties.”

Some of the duties of clerk of court are keeping up on cases that the LPD has, all the charging documents entering them into the court system, take payments for ongoing cases and handle the courts finances which is compiled and handed over to the city administrator for the accounting side for the city.  Massey said, “I handle anything that deals with the city court, I oversee and take care of such as subpoenas and rescheduling court dates;” he continued, “any aspect the court has here I handle it.”

Massey said, “Those who are incarcerated by the LPD or another law enforcement entity, just because they are in jail doesn’t mean they do not have the right to come to court:” he continued, “they must be transported by one of the officers to come to court for the charges that are pending here in the city, once they have presented to the court they are transported back.” The cases handled at the Municipal Court of Loris are city charges only. Some charges that are presented and heard in the court are simple drug possession, traffic tickets, assault 3rd which used to be simple assault, property loss value crimes such as shoplifting petty larceny and malicious damage.  The only cases not heard before the court in Loris are the General Sessions cases they are brought before the 15th District Court in Conway. 

He said the statistics regarding cases that are brought before Judge A. C. Butler varies between court dates and the type of individuals that have charges.  Massey said, “This is not just our court that is any court which is part of the nature of the beast when it comes to people being charged and showing up for their court date.”  There are two court dates each month scheduled for the two different squads with the LPD, the A Squad and the B Squad that begins at 5 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.  The location will change to the Loris City Hall Court Room/Council Chambers in the springtime this year.  I will sit in court and record the session, no transcription is necessary, but it is kept on file to refer back to when a question arises it is available.  Massey said, “When I worked for law enforcement I represented the city police department and presented cases before Judge Butler, I feel we will work well together as a team.”

Massey stated what he will miss most about being on the road as a Loris police officer is the interaction with the citizens of Loris and merchants on a day-to-day basis.  He said, “Many want to speak with the police and express their concerns or something they have seen that is suspicious or want to talk to see how everything is going.”  He stated that the citizens seem to care about the police officers and make sure everything is okay and that they feel safe.  When asked about high-speed chases he said, “No, we don’t’ really do that, everybody thinks it is all fun and guns, it’s not really what the police are about.”  He did state that he felt as though he was making a difference which is something that he wants; he stated he did not feel it every day, but on that side on the road, the police feel that they are making a difference right here in the community.  He said, “Not everyone has positive feelings toward the police department and those working to serve and protect the city, but at some point in time they are going to need the police;” he continued, “and obviously we make sure that we represent the city as well and as professional as possible which many times changes the perception of the police.”  He feels some people do not understand is being an employee of the city no matter what department or position whether it is administration, public works department, police department or the recreation department that person represents the city of Loris. He said, “People don’t necessarily see ‘you’ they see the city and we must represent the city as professionally as you possibly can;” he continued, “that is the number one community tool that we have, the city employees represent the city.”  He stated that pertains to any position employed by the city of Loris, every one is just as important as the other no matter the job title. Massey said, “In all fairness every employee is a part of the city’s infrastructure and that needs to be very strong for it to be successful; this is the gears that make the city turn are the employees and infrastructure.” 

Massey is married with two young children ages 3 and 7, his wife is a healthcare professional. He also has two Yorkshires who are a big part of the family and loves the children. He volunteers his time with the Upward sports programs he coaches soccer and flag football at the Loris First Presbyterian Church. 

The city welcomes Massey into a new position with the city stepping into the administration side of the criminal justice world for the city is a change, but it is a good change.”  He said, “I am a citizen inside the city limits, and I feel I know what concerns the citizens of Loris have, therefore, no matter what type of issue is brought before us here at city hall, I truly feel that transparency is a great thing because it makes the citizens feel that they are involved.”  He continued, “We vote, and obviously the citizens vote for council and mayor, but once that is over with some of the citizens feel they have no control or input, so being transparent when citizens ask questions and attend city council meetings are very important because there the citizens are allowed to be heard, they have great ideas.”  He said the bottom line is transparency as a whole is very important for any government entity, assuring everyone is on the same page; it helps show progress within the city.  He ended by saying, “Transparency helps answer a lot of questions;” he continued, “with the mayor and city administrator with his professional agenda transparency works to the favor of all.”

Massey does not come across as immodest, he humbly accepts his duties and will be available to answer questions or listen to concerns regarding court issues.  He encourages anyone to contact him at city hall at 843-756-4004.