Why is this reporting a syntax error?

Probably because you are using string concatenation. If your $description for example contains a quote character, a space, or a comma - which is quiote likely - you will get syntax errors.

Never concatenate strings to build a SQL command. It leaves you wide open to accidental or deliberate SQL Injection attack which can destroy your entire database. Always use Parameterized queries instead.

When you concatenate strings, you cause problems because SQL receives commands like:

SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE StreetAddress = 'Baker's Wood'

The quote the user added terminates the string as far as SQL is concerned and you get problems. But it could be worse. If I come along and type this instead: "x';DROP TABLE MyTable;--" Then SQL receives a very different command:

SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE StreetAddress = 'x';DROP TABLE MyTable;--'

Which SQL sees as three separate commands:

SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE StreetAddress = 'x';

A perfectly valid SELECT

DROP TABLE MyTable;

A perfectly valid "delete the table" command

--'

And everything else is a comment.
So it does: selects any matching rows, deletes the table from the DB, and ignores anything else.

So ALWAYS use parameterized queries! Or be prepared to restore your DB from backup frequently. You do take backups regularly, don't you?

Fix that throughout your whole app, and the problem you have noticed will probably go away at the same time ...