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

We have again seen success in making our communities safer by apprehending dangerous offenders. The Department’s Fugitive Task Force arrested 35 people and cleared 47 warrants during a warrant sweep in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 3, 2012.

I created the Fugitive Task Force in 2006, to target and apprehend career criminals. The Fugitive Team seeks out the most dangerous offenders with the mission of making our communities safer and in many cases bringing closure to victims.

The Fugitive 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- as seen in 2011. In that one year alone, the Fugitive Team arrested 1,516 people; 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 and making our communities safer.

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 

First of its kind technology enables the Richland County Sheriff's Department to build stronger more involved communities

I recently had the honor to stand with Guardian Watch President Gordon Jones, community activists and CAT Deputies to unveil new FREE technology. This new partnership allows our Community Action Team Deputies to leverage mobile technology for building stronger communities.
 

As Sheriff I am proud to say the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is at the forefront of this innovation – being chosen by Guardian Watch to be the National Pilot for the new technology that increases communication between citizens and public safety. I firmly believe a partnership between citizens and law enforcement is the only way to successfully combat crime.

Guardian Watch is an additional tool allowing our citizens to use mobile devices or the web to alert us and neighbors to suspicious activities or emergencies. Guardian Watch is another way that citizens can provide deputies with critical information about criminal activity; including the GPS location of the activity. It's the first multi-platform application (App) in the country that lets you use your mobile device’s camera to report an emergency. This is real time information that can provide public safety officials with a view of the scene of the crime, fire, or medical emergency before they arrive. This FREE App is ideal for issues that affect our quality of life- like graffiti, narcotics, suspicious vehicles, abandoned homes and vandalism.

I can not stress enough that Guardian Watch does not replace 911 –it's imperative that citizens continue to report crimes in progress or suspicious activity using 911.

For more information about Guardian Watch please go to www.GuardianWatch.com or call your CAT Deputies at 803-576-3191.

You can also visit our website www.rcsd.net for more information.

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

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National Teen Domestic Violence Month

In January, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring February 'Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month'- bringing national attention to a growing problem. 

The sad truth is that there are millions of people in this country who suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their loved ones each year-- but they almost never tell anyone. Adult and Teen domestic violence isn’t just about hitting- yelling, threatening, or acts of possessiveness or harassment. Abuse takes many different forms and includes behavior such as name calling, isolation, withholding of money and sexual assault.

Does your partner:

§         constantly criticize you and your abilities as a spouse or partner, parent or employee?

§         behave in an over-protective manner or become extremely jealous?

§         threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or themselves?

§         prevent you from seeing family or friends?

§         get suddenly angry or "lose their temper"?

§         destroy personal property or throw things around?

§         deny you access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or the car, or control all finances and force you to account for what you spend?

§         use intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children? Hit punch, slap, kick, shove, choke or bite you?

§         prevent you from going where you want to, when you want to, and with whomever you want to?

§         make you have sex when you don't want to or do things sexually that you don't want to?

§         humiliate or embarrass you in front of other people?

Many of us involved in crime prevention have at some point in our careers been involved in educating and working to prevent domestic violence among adults and teens who may be in a dangerous- even deadly- situation. As your Sheriff, I ask you to reach out and talk with our young people and make sure they are educated about what to do if they're in an abusive relationship.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department offers a women’s self defense course free of charge to the public. This is a crime prevention program that utilizes techniques that are specifically designed for women to reduce the likelihood of victimization empowering women to recognize their strengths and make sound decisions when faced with potentially dangerous situations.

For more information and class schedules visit http://www.rcsd.net/inv/vicassist-self-defense.html or call Sgt. Maria Yturria of the Victim Services Unit at 803-576-3463.

http://www.rcsd.net/

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/