Letter to the Editor in The State Newspaper

Law officers serve others despite danger

The recent murders of Aiken Police Officer Scotty Richardson and our police dog, Fargo, serve as a reminder to all just how dangerous the law-enforcement profession is.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund just released a report that shows that for the second straight year, the number of officers killed in the line of duty rose sharply.

In 2011, 174 officers were killed on the job, up from 153 in 2010 and 122 in 2009. There has been a 70 percent increase in officers’ deaths since 2008. The leading cause of death has been guns.

If not for the courageous sacrifice made by Fargo, we may have seen more officers and deputies killed. The suspect was waiting to ambush the deputies and police officers searching for him. He had already demonstrated his deadly intentions by previously shooting at the officers. Fargo gave his life to protect the officers.

We live in a very dangerous time, and it seems to be the norm for criminals to take lives. Drugs cannot always be the excuse. We must realize there are some very mean people in our communities who care very little for human life.
Our first line of defense is the men and women who wear the badge. They all know the sacrifice they may have to make. While others run from danger, they run to it.

Having been in law enforcement for 37 years, I am very biased toward our law-enforcement men and women. I have seen the commitment and sacrifice they make every day. What they do is not just a job, but a calling. I have also seen the pain and suffering they and their families endure when tragedy strikes on the job.
Some may say people do not care anymore, but I have seen that people do care about the men, women and police dogs who serve as that first line of defense. Citizens have reached out to the Richardson family in Aiken and our family at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Thanks to all those who have called, emailed, visited and supported the law-enforcement family during the recent tragedies in Richland County and Aiken. Your support is not taken for granted. You are why we do what we do.

As we begin a new year, I pray that together we keep our communities safe and that there are no more law-enforcement funerals to attend.

Leon Lott
Richland County Sheriff
Columbia

http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/04/2099977/law-officers-serve-others-despite.html

New Year: New Resolutions! Make 2012 the Year You Don't Become a Victim

As we head full force into 2012, I hope you will make it your year to prevent crime and educate yourself about how you can prevent becoming a victim. I want all citizens to stay safe; we offer several FREE programs to help - by having these tools in your toolbox, you can beat the bad guys.

We are on the heals of a time when we all hit the stores or the web to shop for holiday gifts. But how many of us stopped to think about identity theft. It's a very serious crime that occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. Here are ways you can deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information:

§         Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.

§         Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.

§         Don't give out personal information on the phone, by mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

§         Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. 

§         Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or your Social Security number (not even the last four digits of your Social Security Number).

§         Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.

Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements, and please be alert to signs that require immediate attention such as: bills that do not arrive as expected, unexpected credit cards or account statements, denials of credit for no apparent reason and calls or letters about purchases you did not make. You also want to inspect your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.

I encourage you to file a police report to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime and then report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.

Online: ftc.gov/idtheft

By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261

By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in this country. You can protect yourself and we can help you. Contact your Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team at 576-3118 or go to www.rcsd.net for additional safety information.