Cayce Welcomes New Police Chief Herbert Blake
CAYCE, SC – Exciting changes are unfolding in the City of Cayce as Chief Herbert Blake steps in to lead the Police Department. Following the departure of former Police Chief Chris Cowan, who took a new role with the University of South Carolina’s School of Law back in July, Blake is ready to make his mark on the community.
An Experienced Hand at the Helm
Blake brings an impressive background to his new position, with over 20 years of law enforcement experience. Before joining Cayce, he served as the Chief Deputy of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office in Asheville, North Carolina. His journey in law enforcement began in the Town of Ridgeland, and he has held leadership roles as the Police Chief of both the Hendersonville and Loris Police Departments.
A Vision for the Future
At a press conference on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Chief Blake shared his vision for the Cayce Police Department. He expressed his excitement and commitment to build upon the achievements of his predecessors, stating, “I look forward to trying to improve on all the accomplishments my predecessors have accomplished.” His focus is not just on maintaining order but also on being a mentor and a counselor for his team and the community.
Blake emphasized his goals, which include an initiative to over-communicate with other city departments and the community. He mentioned, “I want to empower, encourage, elevate — and I want us to over-communicate as much as we can with other city departments, but also with the community and with each other.” This is a refreshing approach that shows his willingness to engage with the citizens of Cayce.
Listening to the Community
One of Chief Blake’s key plans involves holding listening sessions throughout each district in Cayce. He aims to collaborate with district council members to hear directly from residents about their concerns and priorities. “One of the things I’d like to do…is, I’d like to have listening sessions in each district with each district councilman, to hear from citizens in those communities what those concerns are,” he said. This initiative could foster a stronger relationship between the police department and the community it serves.
Community Support and Engagement
During his initial tour of the city, Blake and his wife, Linda, met with Interim City Manager Jim Crosland over coffee to discuss the future of Cayce. Crosland noted, “You could tell he has a true servant’s heart and he just wants to serve our community. You can tell how humble he is; he wants to take his troops underneath his wing and he wants to teach them and show them.” This kind of support from city leadership bodes well for a collaborative future.
A Family Man
Outside of work, Chief Blake is a family man. He and Linda have two children and five grandchildren, all of whom are actively involved in schools throughout Richland County. This connection to the community and its educational institutions strengthens his commitment to protecting and serving Cayce.
Looking Ahead
In his own words, Chief Blake expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be in a city of this size and proximity, with the goals and objectives that I think is going to move this community forward in a very positive way.” With his dedication and vision, the City of Cayce is poised for exciting developments ahead.
As the community welcomes Chief Herbert Blake, it looks like a bright future is on the horizon, filled with engagement, understanding, and progress.
