Posted on 07/06/2018 9:51:30 AM PDT by Gamecock
The Richland County Sheriff's Department and Columbia Police Department say a combined 60-day initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and seizing weapons was a success.
“This is not something we’ve created to make people feel good," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said, calling gun violence the most prominent problem in the Midlands. "This is something we want to work."
As he spoke, Lott stood beside several photos of people killed by gun violence.
"They're real people," Lott said. "There's real pain, and families are hurting. ... It's just not a number."
Since the initiative began on April 24, the Richland County Sheriff's Department has seized 202 guns. The Columbia Police Department took in 96 guns. Nearly all of the guns were seized during incidents involving drugs, shootings or other types of crimes, according to Lott. None of the guns were voluntarily turned over.
Several of the incidents involved "top offenders" within communities, Lott said. "Top offenders" are people who authorities were aware of because of their unlawful behavior, which often involved gang or drug activity. A focus of the gun violence reduction initiative is arresting those people and seizing their guns.
Seventeen "top offenders" have been arrested during the initiative. One person had been arrested three times since April, and two others were indicted on federal gun charges on top of their state charges.
Sheriff to gun offenders: 'We are going to put a target on them'
“We’re getting the worst of the worse off the street," Lott said. "We’re making sure you’re not going to run around Columbia or Richland County making it the wild, Wild West.”
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook spoke about the initiative's effectiveness. Just a few hours before Thursday's news conference, a gun used during an armed robbery near Bush River Road was confiscated because of community assistance and law officer collaboration, Holbrook said.
That network of law enforcement officers, including those working behind the scenes, have made the 60-day effort a success, Holbrook said.
Analysts working with law enforcement agencies have provided real-time information to investigators to "get the right people off the streets," Holbrook said. "It’s the way we should be doing business — collaboratively, analytically, and strategically."
Recovering shells to match back to guns used to commit crimes also has been part of the initiative. In a recent case that involved guns fired, CPD gathered up 15 military grade casings, according to Holbrook.
“That’s absurd, absolutely absurd," Holbrook said, emphasizing the extent of gun violence in Columbia.
Lott and Holbrook say the initiative has been successful, citing a reduction in gang-related shootings and murders.
Beyond enforcement of gun laws, the 60 days also have had an educational component. The sheriff's department and CPD have attempted to inform people about the importance of not leaving guns in vehicles or unconcealed within homes, two places where firearms are often stolen. Of the 202 guns seized by the sheriff's department, 39 were stolen.
The two-month effort also emphasized to people that stolen guns should be reported to police. Stolen guns frequently change hands and are used in multiple crimes, according to Lott.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t report a gun stolen," Lott said. "When it’s stolen from a home, or a car, they feel embarrassed and don’t report it. … We need all guns stolen reported. Don’t feel embarrassed.”
The initiative to get guns off the street will continue beyond the 60 days, Lott said. While the nearly 300 guns seized and the gun- related arrests are a success, "there’s still a lot of guns out there," he said.
Looking over to the photos of people killed by guns, Lott said, "It's to stop this."
Ping
Wait! Take the guns away from the bad guys?
What a concept!
Were any legally bought?
Probably. And then they were stolen by bad guys.
“Nearly all of the guns were seized during incidents involving drugs, shootings or other types of crimes”
good work ...
They’re profiling criminals!
Profiling is bad, right?
***One person had been arrested three times since April,***
So, why is he still out on the streets after the April arrest?
Lake City brass? Big whoop. Another boogeyman.
You beat me to the "Captain Obvious" sentiment.
It sounds like the police are doing "police work". I think they should extend the effort beyond 60 days.
Yup. Were they trying to imply something?
What they meant was 9 MM, .45 ACP, .223/5.56, 12 Gauge, 7.62 X 51...
All used by the military. No different than ammo bought at Walmart.
Looking over to the photos of people killed by guns,
People are not killed “by” guns. They are killed with guns.
Using the word “by” instead of “with” moves the volition from the killer to the firearm.
And it's really NOT "gun violence", izzit, Mr Lott? It's the result of a high feral population (of all colors) and lax judicial sentencing. Why are these repeat offenders still running free? d:^)
That’s the 64 dollar question.
It will have zero affect on gun crime or crime period.
Ah, “gun violence.” Those darned guns are out killing people again, moving along like these cars that now drive themselves. Guns that move and shoot on their own. I hope that doesn’t spread to my neighborhood.
Too bad LivePD is a re-run tonight. I would have loved to have seen some of this.
Which is why the gun-grabbers are against programs such as Project Exile. If enforcing the existing laws reduces gun violence, then there is no need to ban scary looking guns and full capacity magazines.
Yeah, they came banging on my door. Had to drive with them down to the pond to show them the spot where my rowboat sank with all my firearms and ammo.
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Maybe our guys could go to Chicago and give Rahm and his boys some lessons.
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