Crime (New Numbers)

All the more reason to carry a gun. I lean towards the Walther PPS myself..

All the more reason that we need a metal detector at the entrance to the County Council Chamber. I believe that I read recently that the City Council has already put a metal detector in place.

Petunia -

I agree that a metal detector at the courthouse would be a good idea.

Did you listen to Driver this morning? He was playing a recording of Chief Strewing of the Park Police blocking Stan Welch's entry into the courthouse. The callers were going wild, as usual.

Now I'm not saying Stan is a whacko so don't get carried away with this. BUT, the Park Police are charged with protecting the officials, citizens, and visitors to the courthouse, as well as the courthouse itself.

Jumping back, how many times have we heard something like, "I knew he was a whacko but I never thought he would do it."

Now move ahead to today at the airports. TSA is charged with protecting the aviation industry and the people who fly. Those folks must make on-the-spot threat assessments and screen some individuals more than others. They use "no-fly" lists and other guidelines to screen out the whackos. But they also must use their instincts.

So it is with the Park Police. They must use anything they can to assess a threat to the courthouse and if need be, to err on the side of safety.

Since we can not know what the head of the Park Police was considering at that moment, we must assume that he was doing his job of threat assessment and protecting the courthouse as he is required to do.

To say Strewing knows who Stan is, is not good enough. Back in 1963 in Dallas, the sheriff knew Jack Ruby (real, not blog name). He simply did not assess the threat properly.

I say, good job, Chief ! And to Stan, learn the rules. If you need an appointment, get one.

I don't like it when I get pulled aside by airport security and checked very carefully. But I know that it is for the best for all of us. And I don't even ask why I was singled out. They probably wouldn't tell me anyway.

We should all be glad that whackos are kept out of the friendly skys... and the courthouse !

Now I'm not saying Stan is a whacko so don't get carried away with this.

- Buster

We should all be glad that whackos are kept out of the friendly skys... and the courthouse !

- Buster

So, are you calling Stan a whacko or not? Enquiring minds want to know!

String -

Buster: "...so don't get carried away with this.

Petunia -

I agree that a metal detector at the courthouse would be a good idea.

Did you listen to Driver this morning? He was playing a recording of Chief Strewing of the Park Police blocking Stan Welch's entry into the courthouse. The callers were going wild, as usual.

Now I'm not saying Stan is a whacko so don't get carried away with this. BUT, the Park Police are charged with protecting the officials, citizens, and visitors to the courthouse, as well as the courthouse itself.

Jumping back, how many times have we heard something like, "I knew he was a whacko but I never thought he would do it."

Now move ahead to today at the airports. TSA is charged with protecting the aviation industry and the people who fly. Those folks must make on-the-spot threat assessments and screen some individuals more than others. They use "no-fly" lists and other guidelines to screen out the whackos. But they also must use their instincts.

So it is with the Park Police. They must use anything they can to assess a threat to the courthouse and if need be, to err on the side of safety.

Since we can not know what the head of the Park Police was considering at that moment, we must assume that he was doing his job of threat assessment and protecting the courthouse as he is required to do.

To say Strewing knows who Stan is, is not good enough. Back in 1963 in Dallas, the sheriff knew Jack Ruby (real, not blog name). He simply did not assess the threat properly.

I say, good job, Chief ! And to Stan, learn the rules. If you need an appointment, get one.

I don't like it when I get pulled aside by airport security and checked very carefully. But I know that it is for the best for all of us. And I don't even ask why I was singled out. They probably wouldn't tell me anyway.

We should all be glad that whackos are kept out of the friendly skys... and the courthouse !

- Buster

Perhaps the inimitable Buster would care to offer an opinion on the wisdom, legality, liability or stupidity (choose one or all four) of allowing uncertified personnel who cannot effect a custodial arrest to carry deadly weapons? If these personnel, (forgive me the words 'law enforcement officers 'simply won't do) are certified and authorized by their state justice academy training to carry such weapons, let the administration makle a clear present6ation of such authority. Perhpas the SLED issued cards that even armed security guards are required to obtain would do.If such proof cannot be publicly produced and verified, those personnel should be disarmed immediately. Have you any idea what a .40 caliber Glock will do to a human being? It is beyond imagination that the county 10 would dare to assume such laibility or 20 would fail to produce such certificationj to be armed if it is available.
Anything Whacko about that request, Buster? You can bet your ass anyone carrying a gun in one of our airports is both qualified and authorized to do so.

BTW, the tape played on Driver this morning makes it pretty plain that Bill Striewing is a lying weasel. I guess the moral standards for the adminsitration do start at the top.

All the more reason that we need a metal detector at the entrance to the County Council Chamber. I believe that I read recently that the City Council has already put a metal detector in place.

- Petunia

sad they do such a poopy job they need to do that to be safe.

and just how do a metal detector stop someone from shooting their way in?
and when they do its a damn shame that no one inside has a gun to stop them because they had to leave it back at the door with the detector.

Im just sayin

Petunia -

I agree that a metal detector at the courthouse would be a good idea.

Did you listen to Driver this morning? He was playing a recording of Chief Strewing of the Park Police blocking Stan Welch's entry into the courthouse. The callers were going wild, as usual.

Now I'm not saying Stan is a whacko so don't get carried away with this. BUT, the Park Police are charged with protecting the officials, citizens, and visitors to the courthouse, as well as the courthouse itself.

Jumping back, how many times have we heard something like, "I knew he was a whacko but I never thought he would do it."

Now move ahead to today at the airports. TSA is charged with protecting the aviation industry and the people who fly. Those folks must make on-the-spot threat assessments and screen some individuals more than others. They use "no-fly" lists and other guidelines to screen out the whackos. But they also must use their instincts.

So it is with the Park Police. They must use anything they can to assess a threat to the courthouse and if need be, to err on the side of safety.

Since we can not know what the head of the Park Police was considering at that moment, we must assume that he was doing his job of threat assessment and protecting the courthouse as he is required to do.

To say Strewing knows who Stan is, is not good enough. Back in 1963 in Dallas, the sheriff knew Jack Ruby (real, not blog name). He simply did not assess the threat properly.

I say, good job, Chief ! And to Stan, learn the rules. If you need an appointment, get one.

I don't like it when I get pulled aside by airport security and checked very carefully. But I know that it is for the best for all of us. And I don't even ask why I was singled out. They probably wouldn't tell me anyway.

We should all be glad that whackos are kept out of the friendly skys... and the courthouse !

- Buster

Buster,

I don't know either Stan or Strewing, but you
imply that Stan was a ' threat'.
Did he have a weapon ?.
Why didn't the Park Policeman just check him for weapons and let him do his job. He is a reporter, isn't he ?

Is Stan a physical threat ?
This sure sounds like police maltreatment to me.

And no, I am not a Driver follower.I have a history of confrontation with him.

All the more reason that we need a metal detector at the entrance to the County Council Chamber. I believe that I read recently that the City Council has already put a metal detector in place.

- Petunia

Not so you can see it. At least it wasn't there at the last council meeting. How much security is enough? If Preston would stop highjacking our county government, maybe he (and a lot of others) wouldn't be so paranoid.

...the Park Police are charged with protecting the officials, citizens, and visitors to the courthouse, as well as the courthouse itself...

- Buster

The Park Police are charged with doing whatever Preston tells them to do that day.

There is no ordinance that created the department, outlines their duties and responsibilities, or any other damn thing, because the ordinance which would have created the Park Police has never been enacted by County Council. Every other department in county government is established through state legislation or by county ordinance. Technically, or legally if you prefer, Park Police shouldn't exist.

Welch told Striewing that Crenshaw told him PP's were to be considered just as State Constables, but that's not exactly right either. A long time ago, the Governor found it convenient to reward loyal supporters by making them constables. The practice has all but vanished. Circuit Judges can appoint constables who serve at the will of the court, and SLED doesn't even encourage that practice any more. SLED officials understand the legal ramifications of placing untrained "officers" on the job. We should too.

Preston's hired legal gun found a vague paragraph in the state code which has been the justification since the first officer was "sworn" into that "department."

One former member of the palace guard washed out at the academy after a few days. The city sent him down to be returned as a rookie cop, but they had to let him go. Preston hired him after he found him selling shoes and strapped a weapon on the guy. If you saw him on the street, you would have thought he was DEA or INS or some damn thing. At one point, the secretaries in that office were strapping iron sitting behind a desk. Were they certified? Did they have a SLED card? Very doubtful - and very dangerous.

If you need to protect people and property, for about a thousand reasons, it's better left to commissioned officers who have undergone SLED sanctioned training, and who understand better how to interact with the general public. They study the law and know how to respond. Successful candidates ride the roads every day with Sheriff emblazened on the sides of their cruiser.

Preston has been allowed to maintain his posse for too long. In fact, when Striewing first arrived in the county, he told the Police Chief (at that time) that he was Preston's bodyguard. It was not a statement made in jest - he was serious.

Nowhere on the globe can a former dog catcher rise to the rank of Chief of a fantasy department in under seven years. There's little way to know, but my guess is that Striewing makes as much in salary as the Sheriff.

If it's courthouse security you want. Let the only recognized law enforcement department in the county do the job - the Sheriff's Department.

This just in . . .

CQPress has released their latest published study into state rankings of crime for 2008. The rankings break down into categories of Assault, Burglary, Murder, Motor Vehicle Theft, Rape, and Robbery. Those rankings have an assigned value of 1 to 50, based on where the state falls in comparison to others.

Without further ado:

Top 15 Most Dangerous States
1. Nevada
2. Louisiana
3. New Mexico
4. South Carolina
5. Arizona
6. Tennessee
7. Maryland
8. Alaska
9. Florida
10. Michigan
11. Arkansas
12. Delaware
13. California
14. Texas
15. Alabama

The break-down for South Carolina:

Assault: 1st
Burglary: 7th
Murder: 4th (tied with Alabama)
Motor Vehicle Theft: 15th
Rape: 12th
Robbery: 18th

Sources:
CQPress
Fifteen Most Dangerous States - 2008

So, as this is in the Candidate Q&A; forum, I would like to hear from our delcared, soon-to-be-declared, and imcumbent officials on what their plans are locally to help reduce our overall state-wide numbers.

- SSHM

- SSHM

I would like to see a county by county breakdown of the above numbers. I don't think you take numbers weighed by extraordinary crime statistics from other regions of the state and demand local Anderson County officials to come up with a way to address it in Anderson County. The unfortunate truth is a band of counties in the eastern part of the state, along with certain metro regions, are the main contributers to every dismal statistic in South Carolina. There are pockets in the upstate, but Anderson really is a lot better off with most things than one would think. Just the local politics is nasty, most of the people are not.

As for the metal detector at council meetings, I am all for it. Though I have never felt unsafe at a council meeting, the political tactics of this county, on both sides, could result in someone going nuts. Whatever the cost involved, I think it is worth it to make sure council members and the public are safe without question at meetings. I might would add a couple of deputies outside as well. Nothing heavy handed, just a visible presence. I don't think any rational person would oppose such a security measure, especially in this current political climate.

...the Park Police are charged with protecting the officials, citizens, and visitors to the courthouse, as well as the courthouse itself...

- Buster

The Park Police are charged with doing whatever Preston tells them to do that day.

There is no ordinance that created the department, outlines their duties and responsibilities, or any other damn thing, because the ordinance which would have created the Park Police has never been enacted by County Council. Every other department in county government is established through state legislation or by county ordinance. Technically, or legally if you prefer, Park Police shouldn't exist.

Welch told Striewing that Crenshaw told him PP's were to be considered just as State Constables, but that's not exactly right either. A long time ago, the Governor found it convenient to reward loyal supporters by making them constables. The practice has all but vanished. Circuit Judges can appoint constables who serve at the will of the court, and SLED doesn't even encourage that practice any more. SLED officials understand the legal ramifications of placing untrained "officers" on the job. We should too.

Preston's hired legal gun found a vague paragraph in the state code which has been the justification since the first officer was "sworn" into that "department."

One former member of the palace guard washed out at the academy after a few days. The city sent him down to be returned as a rookie cop, but they had to let him go. Preston hired him after he found him selling shoes and strapped a weapon on the guy. If you saw him on the street, you would have thought he was DEA or INS or some damn thing. At one point, the secretaries in that office were strapping iron sitting behind a desk. Were they certified? Did they have a SLED card? Very doubtful - and very dangerous.

If you need to protect people and property, for about a thousand reasons, it's better left to commissioned officers who have undergone SLED sanctioned training, and who understand better how to interact with the general public. They study the law and know how to respond. Successful candidates ride the roads every day with Sheriff emblazened on the sides of their cruiser.

Preston has been allowed to maintain his posse for too long. In fact, when Striewing first arrived in the county, he told the Police Chief (at that time) that he was Preston's bodyguard. It was not a statement made in jest - he was serious.

Nowhere on the globe can a former dog catcher rise to the rank of Chief of a fantasy department in under seven years. There's little way to know, but my guess is that Striewing makes as much in salary as the Sheriff.

If it's courthouse security you want. Let the only recognized law enforcement department in the county do the job - the Sheriff's Department.

- troglodyte

You make some interesting points about Park Police. I have often tried to understand why it was needed when we have Sheriff's Department.

I wouldn't see it quite so personal. I think the Administrator was probably more interested in making Anderson County fit some sort of nationally recognized county government structure than have a palace guard. Career bureaucrats tend to love formulas in selecting awards and the like. Maybe there was some grant money involved somehow. I don't know, but my guess is it was for some bureaucratic purpose, not for some personal body guards.

But, I do think that the Sheriff should be charged with protecting county property, officials, etc. If its good enough for Judges and the state courts, it ought to be good enough for the county government.

I saw a member of the Anderson County Praetorian Guard working at the main library the other night.

The first impression that came to me was drugstore cowboy, would have been amusing except for the Glock prominently displayed on his hip.

Welch told Striewing that Crenshaw told him PP's were to be considered just as State Constables, but that's not exactly right either. A long time ago, the Governor found it convenient to reward loyal supporters by making them constables. ...

Were they certified? Did they have a SLED card? Very doubtful - and very dangerous...

If you need to protect people and property, for about a thousand reasons, it's better left to commissioned officers who have undergone SLED sanctioned training, and who understand better how to interact with the general public. They study the law and know how to respond. Successful candidates ride the roads every day with Sheriff emblazened on the sides of their cruiser.

Preston has been allowed to maintain his posse for too long. In fact, when Striewing first arrived in the county, he told the Police Chief (at that time) that he was Preston's bodyguard. It was not a statement made in jest - he was serious.

Nowhere on the globe can a former dog catcher rise to the rank of Chief of a fantasy department in under seven years. There's little way to know, but my guess is that Striewing makes as much in salary as the Sheriff.

- troglodyte

There you go again making all kinds of assumptions and presenting them as fact. Do you think if you say them enough it will be perceived as truth?

You must because you do this all the time. Stop this sillyness Stan, if you know it to be true say it, if not stop making unsubstantiated assumptions.

Welch told Striewing that Crenshaw told him PP's were to be considered just as State Constables, but that's not exactly right either. A long time ago, the Governor found it convenient to reward loyal supporters by making them constables. ...

Were they certified? Did they have a SLED card? Very doubtful - and very dangerous...

If you need to protect people and property, for about a thousand reasons, it's better left to commissioned officers who have undergone SLED sanctioned training, and who understand better how to interact with the general public. They study the law and know how to respond. Successful candidates ride the roads every day with Sheriff emblazened on the sides of their cruiser.

Preston has been allowed to maintain his posse for too long. In fact, when Striewing first arrived in the county, he told the Police Chief (at that time) that he was Preston's bodyguard. It was not a statement made in jest - he was serious.

Nowhere on the globe can a former dog catcher rise to the rank of Chief of a fantasy department in under seven years. There's little way to know, but my guess is that Striewing makes as much in salary as the Sheriff.

- troglodyte

There you go again making all kinds of assumptions and presenting them as fact. Do you think if you say them enough it will be perceived as truth?

You must because you do this all the time. Stop this sillyness Stan, if you know it to be true say it, if not stop making unsubstantiated assumptions.

- Constituent

Stan is not Troglodyte. Stan is much better looking than Troglodyte. Besides, trolodyte shaves her legs. Stan uses a depilatory cream. so there!
As to the Park Police's certification, this situation is like so many in Anderson County. When proof is sought from the Preston administration, instead of simply providing that proof and silencing the critics, the tactic is to attack those asking for the proof. What else would a reasonable person deduce from such a pattern of behavior except the belief that the proof doesn

Crenshaw to be so irresponsible as to go on the radio and give the crazy's out there the permission to completely disregard the authority of the Park police was a disregard for my safety and every other person at those meetings.

I am afraid. Because of the lies told on that stupid radio show and the lies told here about me, the hate people are threatening to me.

Durning a council meeting one of them charged Mrs. Floyd yelling at her and she pulled me in between them because of her fear of the man. I was afraid too. Thank God for BILL STREWING. He go to her and protected her from the attack.

If Sherrif Crenshaw is going to make a mockary of the protection provided by the park police than he needs to have sherrif deputies there.

These people are violent, I am there, I see it, I am the receiver of it on many occassions. It is a bad thing.

...If Bill and his boys have SLED cards certifying their training, why not lay them out at one of Joey's patented County Council presentations? Can you say put up or shut up?Too simple? Too cut and dried? Make too much sense?

- dunebuggy

Striewing may actually have a card, because of having retired as a D.C. cop. As for the others, doubtful.

In less than ten years, taxpayer revenue to support that "department" has grown to more than a million dollars. Could that money be used for roads? I think so.

There is also the possibility that Preston hired Skip Gilmer to get the palace guard eligible for a weapons card. Not quite the same as graduating from the academy, but this is Anderson County.

Praetorian Guard / Palace Guard / Park Police / Public Safety appear to be a small notch above rent-a-cops.

If a situation arises where public safety is really in danger, I would rather have a Certified Deputy or Police Officer handle it.