The City of Walterboro called a Special Meeting January 27. During this meeting City Council adopted a 12-point plan (attached) to address the recent rash of gun violence. Additionally, City Council appointed the following individuals to the Project Advisory Committee for the Strategic Plan for Economic Development funded by the SC Department of Commerce. Those Committee members are: Bill Young, Jeff Molinari, Wayne Crosby, Patricia Utsey, Joshua Rowland, Sharon Witkin, Charlie Martin, Amelia White, Maryann Blake.
12-Point Violence Plan
We, the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Police Chief and all of our police officers recognize the urgency of our response to the ongoing gun violence which is taking place in our city and county. We are immediately implementing an initial 12-point plan to address the violence. We will not surrender to gangs, or to drug violence, or to those who would have us live in fear.
1. Increase police presence, visibility, and enforcement targeting those areas with repeated gun violence or gang activity.
2. Increase community engagement by working with neighbors in affected areas, establishing active crime watch neighborhoods, and encouraging the gathering and sharing of information, and the reporting of criminal activity to the police.
3. Work to recruit and retain highly effective law enforcement personnel through competitive compensation and benefits.
4. Enlist the aid, support, and cooperation of community leaders.
5. Aggressively monitor social media to identify possible flash points and events which may lead to gun violence.
6. Work with the Sheriff’s office to establish a task force for use in drive- by shootings in the city and the county, and to anticipate retaliatory responses, identifying and arresting those responsible.
7. Invest in high-tech investigative equipment such as FLOCK cameras and seek out and apply for grants or donations to help fund these.
8. Identify underage children who are participating in gun violence as victims of parental neglect and take appropriate action.
9. Improve communication with the public concerning public safety issues.
10. Address derelict buildings through aggressive code enforcement.
11. Replace or install street lighting where needed.
12. Work with DJJ, the Solicitor, State Representatives, Senators and the Governor to support laws which give law enforcement the tools needed to deter gun violence and keep us safe and to change laws that restrict law enforcement in addressing violent crimes.
