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.

Help these dogs find a loving home

In the spirit of the holidays, I find myself feeling even more passionate about finding the remaining 8 Pitt Bulls rescued from horrible conditions loving homes. They have all received complete medical treatment and care they deserve; now they need a caring home for the holidays.

The community has really stepped up by adopting the other 16 dogs and I know it's been a tremendous undertaking, but everyone's support and donations to the Sheriff’s Foundation has assisted in caring for these dogs.

If you would like to be a volunteer to foster a dog or two or maybe adopt one please call Pawmetto Lifeline at 803-622-4748 – anyone interested in making a donation should make checks payable to: The Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation,

5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29202

  

You can read a short description of the remaining dogs and see photos at http://www.facebook.com/OfficialRCSDPage.fb

Holiday Shoppers Beware- Both in Stores & Online

I strongly encourage you to be safe shopping this holiday season. By  taking some extra precautions you can keep yourself and your personal information safe.

It's unfortunate that we live in a society where not everyone is out spreading holiday cheer. With that in mind, please be vigilant and alert as you venture out both to stores and online.

Here are some tips to remember while you are out shopping:

1-Avoid concentrating so hard on shopping that you fail to keep track of your surroundings, or others near you or your personal property.

2-Be alert in crowded places. Pickpockets favorite places are revolving doors, jammed aisles, elevators, and at public transportation bus stops – make sure your pocketbook/wallet is on your person at all times.

3-Grip your carried items firmly and avoid leaving them attended.

4-Carry the day’s most expensive purchases closest to your body, and don’t carry so much you lose the ability to react quickly.

5-Do not leave purchased items visible in the car - leave them in the trunk.

6-Credit cards offer convenience and security, however, keep track of all cards and keep receipts to compare to your monthly statement.

7-Shop with friends or relatives if possible; there is safety in numbers.

8-While shopping in the evening hours may be less crowded, there are also additional potential risks involved – park in areas with adequate lighting, again shop with someone rather than alone.

9-When returning to your vehicle, carry your keys in your hand and be ready to unlock the door and enter as quickly as possible. As you approach your vehicle, scan the area, glance underneath, and take a quick look inside before entering.

Shopping Online? Please be wary of crime there as well!

1-Before you begin shopping online, secure your computer by updating your security software. Every computer should have antivirus software, antispyware, and anti-spam software, as well as a good firewall. Firewalls and antivirus software are the first line of defense. They help keep your computer safe and secure.

2-Keep your personal information private and your password secure. Don’t respond to any requests to “verify” your password or credit card information unless you initiated the contact. Legitimate businesses won’t ask for this information.

3-Use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked
padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.
They indicate that you are dealing with a secure website.

4-Donate to charities online only if you have investigated the charity. Be sure that the charity’s site is secure or make your donation through the mail.

And above all- beware of bargains from unfamiliar companies. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

I would like to extend the very best this Holiday Season from our family to yours!