NORTH, S.C. - "Gangs are a problem here," the North police chief told the town council Monday.

"We have experienced several incidences of gang criminal activity. Gang graffiti is becoming noticeable, and I would like to ask council to decide who should be responsible for removing the graffiti from public as well as private property and how the removal will be funded," Chief Mark Fallaw said.

Council agreed to consider its options and discuss removal of gang graffiti at a future meeting.

The North Police Department co-sponsored a gang awareness summit on Jan. 10, and Fallaw thanked the council for its support, stressing the importance of being proactive concerning gangs, gang activity and gang graffiti.

Also during the meeting, engineer Jamie Steele updated council on the streetscape project.

"We have met several times and now have a complete plan that has been reviewed by Mayor (Earl) Jeffcoat and the committee. The last item we need to agree on is the placement of the clock and the town sign," Steele said. "The final plan and the sketch should be ready by the end of January. We are right on schedule."

In other business, the town's monthly financial report showed total income of $154,963.79 and total expenditures of $129,839.06, leaving a net income of $25,124.73. Town Clerk Carrie Windham said she was still waiting for a reimbursement of $35,000.00 from the S.C. Department of Transportation.

The council also discussed public use of the new North Pavilion. The mayor said a rental agreement must be signed and a refundable deposit of $50 paid. Renters of the facility must also abide by town policies governing use of the North Pavilion which are available for review at North Town Hall.

Also during the meeting:

* Fallaw said that at the request of Councilwoman Harriet Lane, the police department looked into complaints about residents burning trash in town. "We responded to three such incidences and each time found the citizen burning to be in compliance (with the town ordinance)," he said. Lane said she also followed up on the complaints, noting that everyone seemed satisfied.

* Fallaw reported his department received more than $29,000 worth of free radio equipment from the federal government, including four mobile units, four hand units and one base unit. "We also received an additional $12,000 in upgrades for the radio units we received from Aiken Electric. Because of the new equipment and the upgrades, we can talk directly with a helicopter or a SLED K-9 unit," the police chief said.

* A proposal was made to have 8-inch cast aluminum lettering placed on North Town Hall and matching lettering placed on the North Library. The work will be completed by Plain or Fancy Sign Company of Orangeburg.

* Jeffcoat listed the town's many accomplishments in 2007 and noted the town's goals for 2008.

"We plan to complete the streetscape project and the community park during 2008. We also plan to install the lettering and signage on Town Hall and the library, and we plan to have the best town in South Carolina," he said.

* Jeffcoat thanked Paul and Cynthia Drew for their gift of a curio cabinet to display town keepsakes.

* The mayor noted that work is continuing on annexation.

* Jeffcoat said the 801 Main Street property needed to be checked prior to its rental. If everything is approved, the property is scheduled to be rented to the North Family Community School. After some discussion, it was decided that the school's directors, George and Sandy Sigmond, along with the council, will sign a lease agreement in order to offer legal protection to both parties.

* Council thanked the North police officers, specifically Chief Fallaw, for their dedication and accomplishments.

T&D Correspondent Sherryl Peters can be reached by e-mail at boykinbaby@surrealestate.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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