CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A local teenager was arrested for illegally selling palmetto roses at the historic downtown market and resisting arrest Monday by Charleston Police.
Gerald Prioleau, 16, is accused of attempting to run from police after being approached while illegally selling palmetto roses.
Palmetto roses, a historic hand weaving practices that dates back to the Civil War. Adrian Wilson, President and CEO of the Palmetto Rose Company was surprised to hear the news of the recent arrest.
“If they focused more on resources and allowing kids to sell roses in a regulated way, it would be awesome,” Wilson said.
Wilson has owned and operated his palmetto rose and sweet grass basket stand in the historic downtown market for 10 years. He believes children selling roses doesn’t bring any harm to the city.
“The tourism industry is in the billions of dollars, these young people getting a couple dollars on the weekend isn’t a problem,” Wilson said.
On Monday, July 2, a Charleston Police Officer was on patrol in the City Market when he observed two teenage males illegally selling “palmetto roses” in the market.
The officer recognized the teens because he had seen them for several weeks walking in and out of traffic illegally selling “palmetto roses” in the market.
Approximately at 1:15 p.m. Monday, the officer approached one of the teens., Prioleau. He then attempted to run away and that’s when the officer tried to detain him.
The police report says the teen fought with the officer. They fell to the ground, witnesses helped pull Prioleau off the officer, and he was finally arrested. EMS was called to the scene because the officer and the teen received small abrasions during the struggle, according to the report.
State Representative Wendell Gilliard spoke to Prioleau and his mother Tuesday, and says there’s a bigger issue here.
“Here we are in a nine billion dollar tourist district and we have young people who don’t have jobs,” Gilliard said.
According to police, the teens would run away from the officer each time he tried to approach them and explain that it is illegal to sell “palmetto roses” unless they are participating in the city’s Palmetto Artisan Program, according to spokesman Charles Francis.
The Palmetto Artisan Program is an educational program for children ages 9-16 to learn business and entrepreneurial skills. It’s a free program provided by the Charleston Recreation Department.
According to city of Charleston spokesman, Jack O’Toole, the program was created after downtown businesses shared their concerns about children having poor behavior while selling the roses. In 2007, city council passed an ordinance mandating children be a part of the program in order to sell the roses.
Gilliard sat on the council at the time, but now he says the program needs to be tossed.
“The signs need to come down, the program needs to revamped and we need to welcome all these kids whether black or white who can be in front of these businesses,” Gilliard said.
Allison Warren, a tourist visiting from Indianapolis, Indiana purchased a palmetto rose Thursday.
“He asked if I would like to buy one to support his travel basketball team, and I did it with no hesitation,” Warren said. “I rarely have cash, so if I do, I’d love to help a kid.”
She believes children selling palmetto roses bring extra charm to the city.
“i think it’s sweet, it’s fun to support kids,” Warren said.
Wilson says once the city understanding they aren’t just roses, but it’s a part of a culture, maybe things will change.
The teen is charged with illegally selling “palmetto roses” and resisting arrest. He was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center and has been released since.
Local officials will host a protest about this situation Saturday, July 7 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Charleston’s City Hall.
