ISSUE: Crime

OUR VIEW: S.C. citizens must do their part to battle high crime rate

Orangeburg County during the years of the 21st century has seen crime decline from the levels of the 1990s. Nonetheless, the county and state still face an unacceptably high level of violence and criminal activity.

The most recent statistics from the FBI reflect the level of the problem: South Carolina is first in the nation for violent crime.

The causes are many. A recent story by Tim Smith of the Greenville News had officials pointing to a sinking economy, budget cuts, easy access to guns and a populace too accustomed to solving problems with knives and bullets.

Add to the list a thriving drug trade and a wave of domestic violence and the S.C. problem is magnified.

It's one that the people of the state must demand be corrected. And just as there is a growing need for more law enforcement, budget cuts have reduced the officer levels.

That means people will have to become more proactive in fighting crime. No, not as vigilantes. As observers. As people willing to get involved.

Patty Sizemore of Orangeburg recently wrote the following. It is the challenge:

"In the eight years I have been running a neighborhood watch, I have constantly stressed the point of:

"1. Attendance at neighborhood meetings.

"2. Calling Public Safety (803-534-2812) if you see or hear anything suspicious in your neighborhood or street, and calling your crime watch captain.

"3. Knowing who lives on either side of you and who does not belong on your street.

"The only reason we have a good neighborhood watch is because of the few dedicated people who support our meetings and our phone alert watch (calling each other if we go away or need help). Neighbors need to use the phone alert system; this keeps everyone alert on what is going on.

"What a pitiful shame.

"Most people sit back and think a neighborhood watch can run itself, so they do not get involved. How do you expect your neighbor to keep protecting you if you do not protect the community? People do not realize how bad it can get without a neighborhood watch. A neighborhood watch sign on a street cannot stop crime. People who get involved stop crimes. In the very near future there will be a lot more high-crime neighborhoods in Orangeburg. "Everybody needs to stop complaining about neighborhood crime and get involved. Take control of your neighborhoods. Do not give your neighborhood away to high crime.

"Domestic violence is a crime, stealing is a crime, any kind of littering is a crime, and speeding is a crime. Pick up your phone people! Call your Department of Public Safety.

"Keep in control of your neighborhood. There is no excuse you can give for not protecting your family, pets, property or neighborhood. If you care, be there!"

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