8/1 NEWSBREAK: Charleston police want community feedback

The Charleston Police Department and the Citizen Police Advisory Council on Monday launched an online survey in an effort to find out how to to improve policing efforts in the Charleston area and its impact on the community.

“We value the input and perspectives of our community members immensely,” said Interim Police Chief Chito Walker, “and this survey is an essential step in our commitment to fostering a stronger relationship between law enforcement and the citizens we serve.”

The survey spotlights community perceptions, needs and expectations from the police department. It is available online in English and Spanish through August 31.

Meanwhile, the North Charleston Police Department has purchased a medical waste incinerator to destroy its large volume of seized controlled substances.

Also in the City Paper:

CP NEWS: Scholarship program grows with statewide plans. Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, the brainchild of Charleston philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro, aspires to go statewide with its Mission 46 initiative to impact more students who may not otherwise have the financial capacity to attend college in South Carolina.

In other recent news:

S.C. home sales fell 20% in first half of the year. From January through June, 44,340 residences changed hands, down by 20% from the same time period last year. Meanwhile, the median price for homes jumped 3.6% in June.

Mega millions jackpot surpasses $1B for Tuesday drawing. For the fifth time, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached 10 digits, crossing over the $1 billion mark in Tuesday’s drawing.

Income disparities revealed in pedestrian-related crash sites. South Carolina ranked 13th in the country for pedestrian deaths last year, and Lowcountry residents are all too familiar, citing poor pedestrian safety and high pedestrian-related incidents in lower-income neighborhoods.

Charleston school supply drive underway. The city of Charleston is holding a school supply drive to prepare for its annual First Day Festival. The most requested supplies include pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, composition notebooks, loose-leaf paper, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, two-pocket folders and pencil pouches.

Beresford Creek Bridge project to begin mid-August. Work to replace the Beresford Creek Bridge that connects to Daniel Island will begin on Aug. 15 and will last for approximately nine months, according to Charleston Co. officials.