By HEATHER RUPPE
Walterboro seems to be experiencing a spike in violent crime, especially with shootings.
This newspaper reached out to city leaders and requested data on the shootings that have occurred recently.
From January 1st of this year to November 30th of this year (2021), the Walterboro Police Department investigated 14 “calls for service” (911 calls) for shootings.
Five of these were homicides, or murders.
In this same time frame in 2020, the WPD had one shooting that was ruled a “justifiable homicide.” There were no additional homicide cases made in 2020 by the WPD, according to Walterboro Police Department Sgt. Tavara Edwards, a spokeswoman for the local agency.
When asked what is causing this spike in violent crime and in shootings in the city’s limits, Walterboro Police Chief Wade Marvin said there are a variety of factors, and he is looking at a bigger picture of crime he says is happening across the state and nation.
“There isn’t one particular reason for the shootings that we have investigated. One shooting that we investigated this year that resulted in a death, and was captured on security cameras, had no apparent reason,” he said. “There has been an increase in crime statewide. SLED keeps accurate, up-to-date statistics on crime statewide. SLED Chief Mark Keel held a press conference earlier this year and stated that murders increased 51 percent in the last five years, and they have increased 25 percent in the last year,” said Marvin.
SLED is the State Law Enforcement Division, and is South Carolina’s leading law enforcement agency.
According to Marvin, drugs and alcohol also seem to be contributing factors to some of the violent gun violence documented in the city this year.
Marvin says there was also at least one shooting in the city that was absolutely gang-related, while at least one other was attributed to domestic violence.
So, what is being done?
To help curb some of the violence happening in the city’s limits, Marvin says the Walterboro Police Department is increasing its presence in certain neighborhoods.
The department is also trying to hire two officers to fill vacancies; however, Marvin points out what he calls a “sharp decline” in the number of qualified cop candidates that is impacting all statewide law enforcement agencies.
“We talk with business owners on a regular basis regarding the number of calls that we have had,” he said. “During the holiday season, we will have officers specifically assigned to businesses to try to help with any issues that may arise because of the increased volume of customers.
“The city’s leadership is as concerned as we are about the number of calls where someone has been assaulted. The City’s administration has been helpful by freeing up resources to help pay for overtime assignments,” he said.
Marvin says he and the department want to hear from community leaders and want more people to get involved in fighting crime. “We welcome more community involvement and will be willing to meet with anyone who would want to discuss this or any issue that they may have. We want to make sure that those who are visiting and especially those who live here feel safe in Walterboro,” he said.
Marvin says he and the department want to hear from community leaders and want more people to get involved in fighting crime. “We welcome more community involvement and will be willing to meet with anyone who would want to discuss this or any issue that they may have. We want to make sure that those who are visiting and especially those who live here feel safe in Walterboro,” he said.
