Walterboro's efforts pay off
Even when Walterboro had a steady presence in the news because of shootings and gang violence, many residents contended it wasn't the scary place it was being portrayed to be. So recently released reports showing a 30 percent drop in violent crime in 2010 came as no surprise to some.
But the numbers are still an important indication that community policing efforts, neighborhood improvements and economic development can pay off in making Walterboro -- or anywhere else -- a safer place to live.
The numbers also serve to reassure people who don't live there but who go there for business or shopping.
As The Post and Courier's Glenn Smith reported a week ago, the difference between Walterboro's violent-crime statistics in 2009 and 2010 is notable. Murders dropped from four to one; rape from five to four; and aggravated assault from 94 to 60. Only robberies increased from 15 to 18.
After two adults and a 20-month-old girl were killed in a drive-by shooting in 2009, police received assistance from the State Law Enforcement Division and others. A state grand jury investigation culminated in a June 2010 raid that targeted 20 members of rival gangs.
In addition, Walterboro's police are now expected to spend time getting to know residents and business owners. When a man was shot there recently, police said the community provided information quickly, and three suspects were taken into custody.
The trend toward safety isn't due to law-enforcement muscle alone. A million dollars' worth of federal grants has been used to revitalize neighborhoods and to mentor at-risk youth and train them for internships.
The city has improved street lighting, boarded up vacant buildings and worked with nonprofit groups to fix up blighted properties.
Has it worked? The numbers trend suggests that it has, and new businesses are reported to be moving into the commercial district -- something you wouldn't expect in an unsafe area.
This commendable progress is the result of good police work and citizen cooperation. It's also a welcome testimonial for a town whose residents don't want it to be known as a dangerous place.
