Fugitive Task Force arrests 10,618 people – 6,105 violent offenders

I created the Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force in January of 2006 for the sole purpose of targeting and apprehending career criminals. The Fugitive Team seeks out the most dangerous offenders with the mission of making our communities safer.

From January 2006 to January 2012, the Fugitive Task Force has arrested 10, 618 people; of which 6,105 were considered violent offenders. The Fugitive Task Force has cleared 21,240 arrest warrants over the last six years. In 2011 alone 1,516 people were arrested by the team; of which 857 were for violent offences, and cleared a total of 2,593 warrants. 

What do all these numbers mean? It means we are winning the war against the bad guys. The Task Force combines the expertise of our Deputies with that of other law enforcement agencies like the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the United States Marshal’s Service.  The hard work of the Task Force members and partnerships with the other police and sheriff’s departments is how they are able to reach such impressive results. 

Our Fugitive Task Force is a group of nine guys with one goal:  get violent offenders off the street.  Recently WIS-TV followed the team and got an inside look as they hit the streets to track down career criminals. I hope you will take a minute to watch this story to get a better idea of what they do every day. http://www.wistv.com/story/16666310/inside-a-manhunt-with-a-fugitive-task-force

As we continue to build "Unity in the Community" I ask that anyone be our eyes and ears in the community. If you have information on the location of any wanted person, should call, email or text your anonymous tip to Crimestoppers:
Call 1-888-CRIME-SC
Text "TIP SC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637)
Visit www.midlandscrimestoppers.com 

American Heart Month Reminds Us to Be Heart Healthy

Tomorrow (2/1/12) is the first day of American Heart Month. It reminds me of the importance of staying heart healthy, especially since heart conditions have been so close to home for us at the Richland County Sheriff's Department. 

On December 14, 2007 we lost Deputy Darral Lane who died of a heart attack while serving our community. Lane had a heart condition, which he was not aware-- and it was not identified during his regular physical exam. In memory and honor of Deputy Lane we conducted a free cardiac check for all Richland County Sheriff’s Department employees in November 2011. Out of approximately 800 personnel 127 took advantage of this opportunity. Of those 127 who were tested, 8 people were referred for further tests based on abnormalities in their tests.

One of those 8 is Deputy Arielle Riposta. It was identified that she has Aortic Valve Stenosis, otherwise referred to as a leaky valve. "I had no plans to participate in the screening because I couldn't find the time in my work schedule that day," says Deputy Riposta. "But when there was a lull in the appointments, I decided to sign-up. I'm glad I did, because they found something was wrong."

This was a voluntary opportunity for everyone to make sure their heart was ok. I am adamant that everyone in the Department is cared for and healthy. The heart screenings are one of the many services we provide to all employees that may just save a life.  

"I was lucky to find out about my condition. My cardiologist has spoken to me about what I can do on a daily basis to keep my heart as healthy as it can be. I realize now that everyone needs to find time - no matter how packed your schedule might be... just 15 minutes could save your life," says Deputy Riposta.

The 2011 Darral Lane Memorial Heart Exam was possible because of the generosity of the professionals at St. Jude Medical, the South Carolina Heart Center and the American Heart Association.

I remind everyone that you cannot take chances with your health and safety; have your heart screened is a small time investment that might offer you information about your health and wellness that you were not previously aware of. Typical screenings include risk factor assessment, blood pressure, 12 lead EKG, carotid & cardiac echoes, and a consultation with a cardiologist. 

Health and wellness are paramount toward having the most professional law enforcement agency in the State. Likewise, it is extremely important for all citizens to get yearly physicals, heart screenings and to live healthy lifestyles.   

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will co-sponsor a Spaghetti Dinner (a fresh salad, garlic bread and iced tea) on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at

6708 Two Notch Road, Dentsville Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall) from 11am to 2pm. All proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. Tickets are on sale for $6.00 and can be purchased at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Headquarters located at 5623 Two Notch Road

or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Region Two Substation located at 7201 Two Notch Roadinside of Columbia Place Mall. For additional information contact Captain Cole Porter, Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 576-3441.   

As your Sheriff for 16 years, and in Law Enforcement for 37 years, I truly appreciate how great partnerships are making our Sheriff’s Department successful in reducing crime; and believe that our relationships with our citizens, communities and businesses are what make Richland County such a great place to live, work and play. 

I can assure you that we are continuing to increase our diversionary programs, crime prevention efforts and enforcement strategies – all with the goal to improve your quality of life.

Just yesterday (1/23/12) I met with members of the Columbia Police Department, Columbia Fire Department and Solicitors Office to discuss how we can continue to unite all areas of law enforcement in order to protect communities. I believe in working with ALL agencies in the state and beyond to stop crime and create a safe environment for citizens. This particular meeting was just one of many RCSD participates in-- YOUR Sheriff’s Department stands ready to partner with each and every citizen and community

In 16 years we have seen crime after crime being solved by proactive police work of our deputies, citizen’s being our eyes and ears and reporting suspicious activity and success through giving people, young and old, a second chance through diversionary programs. 

Even with violent crime reduced by 1.4% in 2011* (compared to 2010), the economy is still in a tail spin and we continue to see a rise in police officers being killed and desperation in communities across the country. Crime prevention education and an improved awareness of our citizens is what will continue to reduce crime -- in no way is the fight finished. 

Every day across the country we see stories of robberies, domestic abuse and theft.  In the Midlands we see similar stories.  Even with the reduction of burglary, assaults, commercial robberies and rapes, in Richland County, we saw a spike in robberies of individuals.  This new trend, of individuals being robbed, needs to be the focus of every citizen. We must be vigilant, constantly aware of our surroundings and take steps to reduce our chances of becoming victimized.

Make 2012 the year you do not become a victim. If you do not have a crime watch in your neighborhood or business community, then start one.  Start each day by thinking ‘what can I do to reduce my chances of being victimized today. If you would like to take advantage of the FREE crime prevention training, that we offer, please call your Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team at 803-576-3119 or go to http://www.rcsd.net/ to find hundreds of safety tips and information.

I look forward to working with you in the fight against crime and in making Richland County the best place to live, work and play.

Sincerely,
Sheriff Leon Lott

 

*Go to http://www.rcsd.net/gen/proact.htm to see the complete reports.

"Providing the community with an inside look at law enforcement"

The Richland County Sheriff's Department Citizen Police Academy is an educational and rewarding experience... I encourage everyone to take advantage of this FREE 12-week program.

The mission of the Richland Citizen's Academy Program is to educate and inform the community... provide a forum for police/community interaction and identify community problems, needs and concerns. We want to give citizens an overview of our Department's structure, services and personnel. Each week you will have a qualified instructor to explain how each division of the Richland County Sheriff's Department operates including:

• Uniform Patrol Division
• Investigations
• Narcotics Enforcement
• Gang Unit
• Special Response Team
• Physical Evidence/Crime Lab
• Canine Unit
• School Resource Officers
• Deputy Sheriff Selection
• Professional Standards
• Youth Crimes
• Victim's Assistance
• Training Division
• 911 Communications Center
• Aviation

Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. The final session is a ride-along with on-duty deputies. After the 12th week, participants have a graduation event with a photo session -- which I am always proud to attend. These weekly sessions are not designed to make the participant a Police Officer. It's more an opportunity to receive some of the training that a recruit receives while attending the Police Academy.

Here are the requirements to attend: You have to be at least 21 years old, have no misdemeanor arrests within 1 year of application, and no felony convictions.

If you are interested in participating in the RCSD Citizen’s Academy, please complete an application- you can go to http://www.rcsd.net/prog/citizenacademy.htm or call the Community Action Team at (803) 419-5331.

The next session starts January 17th, 2012!

Citizens can access important information about crime prevention, free safety training and community resources at:

Website: www.rcsd.net Twitter: http://twitter.com/RCSD

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialRCSDPage.fb

Facebook Teens: https://www.facebook.com/rcsdkids

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/sheriffleonlott

Newsvine: http://richland-cty-sheriff-leon-lott1.newsvine.com/

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.

Working to keep our youth on the right path

I am proud that last week the Richland County Sheriff's Department kicked off A&E's second season of "Beyond Scared Straight" with an inside look at our R.E.A.D.Y program.

The R.E.A.D.Y. Program (Richland County, Educating, And Deterring, Youth) is an extension of the Crossroads Program, which was introduced in 2008 for students displaying behavior problems. The students are dropped off by their parents to the Sheriff's Department and taken on a tour of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center followed by a presentation from the Richland County Coroners office for a "reality check". Since the program started, more than three hundred young adults have gone through the program and the vast majority of those students have stayed out of trouble. The common response from parents evaluating the program is a request for an overnight stay at a correctional facility to further get the message across. Students (ages twelve to sixteen) can stay overnight inside a jail cell... they are all monitored closely the entire evening by Richland County Deputies.

If you are interested in finding out more about the program or for enrollment information Investigator Gerald Walls at 518-4127 and pay an administrative fee of $10.00 (which covers cost of jail jumper, snack and breakfast).

If you missed the debut last Thursday, you can go to this link below (A&E's website) at http://www.aetv.com/beyond-scared-straight/video/?bcpid=754809944001&bclid=1115932243001&bctid=1315056183001

Also working hard to make a significant difference in the lives of young people is Richland County Sheriff’s Investigator Cassie Radford. Radford is a six-year Sheriff’s Department veteran.

In an interview by Noelle Phillips with The State newspaper, Kendall Corley, the juvenile prosecutor in the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, said Radford’s one-on-one insight into children’s lives is invaluable when it comes to deciding an appropriate punishment.

“What Cassie is good at is getting to the kids on the front end,” Corley said. “She knows the services they need more than I would by looking at a file.”

The State article goes on to say that as a juvenile crime investigator, Radford doesn’t allow teens to use a troubled home as an excuse for bad behavior.

“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, and what I have is what I’ve made of myself,” Radford said. “I was told as a teen that I was white trash and I would be on the streets. Well, I am white. But I’m not trash. I’m on the streets, but I’m making a difference.”

I appreciate those working to rehabilitate troubled young people. Whether it's going through the R.E.A.D.Y. program or being mentored by someone like Inv. Radford-- as long as the result is keeping these young people on a positive path, the work is worth it.