GANGS AND SCHOOLS

[Anonymous]

Although most are not sure why this site was started or by whom, it’s probably safe to say that everyone would agree it is now used primarily for ‘mud slinging’. Yes, the Metts camp probably started this site and they are certainly monitoring it. While I do enjoy viewing all the ‘mud slinging’, I propose that we put this site and the attention it draws to good use.

We have a major problem growing the midlands area with gang violence. I am interested in hearing everyone’s opinion on this. What are the local departments doing about it and what else could be done? We know have SROs in all high schools, is this making a difference with school crime? What are the local schools doing to stop the gang problem?

EQUILIZZER
:twisted:

[Anonymous]

I beg to differ. I don't think the posting of observations and opinions falls under the heading of "mud slinging." A term that is most often applied to comments that a political candidate simply doesn't want to hear ot deal with. However, I'm glad to hear that you enjoy reading the opinions and observations that are so freely posted here.

I am not particularly concerned with what the schools are doing to counter the growing crime problem. We fund the school system to educate students, not police them. To that end, the Lexington schools have excelled. It is the police who have failed to adequately meet the challenge that gangs present to our communities. In a previous posting by a sheriff's department supervisor, who was actually present at a gang fight, he tried to claim it was the district's fault for not following some sort of guideline. In short, he tried to lay it off on the school teachers.

If we put up with these kinds of half-witted excuses we deserve to have a gang problem. The answer is painfully obvious. We need aggressive street enforcement to disrupt gang activity. That means we need the police to be physically out engaging these misguided individuals and encouraging to go somewhere else to conduct their business. That means we do not need the police hanging around Gibson Road, polishing apples to maintain a meaningless accreditation certificate.

[Anonymous]

DVM I agree with you, in that many of the postings are constructive opinions and criticisms. Others however, are along the lines of mud slinging.

I am surprised just how many incidents are handled in schools by Law Enforcement. Things have certainly changes since my days in school. During that time a student could be involved in a fight and it was handled by the teacher, not the police. I think we have the news media and a few high profile school violence incidents to thank for that.

The gang fight you spoke of was certainly not the school districts fault. The only problem I see is that many of the school officials to not want police action until things get too bad to handle. Otherwise the schools do seem to be taking action to prevent gangs in schools.

We do need more aggressive street enforcement, simple police presence does not lower crime rates. Police need to make sure that the gang members do not feel welcome.
The agency in question has done a lot to gather intelligence on gang activity but nice computer graphics and pins in a map don’t stop gangs. We know who the gang members are, what they look like and what they do. They can even be found without leaving Gibson Road.

Police need to make sure that the gang members do not feel welcome. You are correct many officers are too busy polishing apples are pampering the public by writing meaningless reports on the scene.

[Anonymous]

May I suggest some light reading. The Crime Fighter by Jack Maple. I think you will find it an interesting read, my friend!

[Anonymous]

DVM,
Just remeber when you say police you are including everyone. I take great offense in you saying that all police are not out there working. I do.
I try to do what i can for what i have to work with. I can also say that the guys i work with on my shift do not sit on Gibson rd. I do not go there unless i have to.
I go out there every night and work hard to keep people safe.
So just remeber its not the officer out there who is working the streets, maybe its the higher ups that tie our hands.
I have been at the department for 8 years and i am still a slick sleeve so i know i dont apple polish.
If i have taken what said out of context, then i am sorry. I just get sick and tired of people saying that we, the grunts of the SD do nothing. Since that is not true for most.
If i misunderstood what you meant then i am sorry.

[Anonymous]

every police officer, worth his pay, does a good job. my hat is off to each of you. the problem is not that we put them in jail, but those that let them out.

special people do indeed get special treatment. we all know that, just try writing the wrong friend a speeding ticket, or a moving v.

if we can put more of these young people in the system, the better. laws need to be changed.

now will, can harrison do this? if so , how. lets heard his ideas.

[Anonymous]

Let me clarify something right here and now. I am in no way “anti-police” nor do I think that our patrol deputies are not hard working and dedicated to performing their duty. Just the opposite. I really admire the job you do and look up to you for having the courage to take on the job you have chosen. The reason I have taken such an interest in this election is because of my admiration for law enforcement officers, not dislike of them.

What I have finally had enough of is the leadership at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. I have lived in Lexington County for some time and there is one thing I have come to realize. No matter how much money we pour into the Sheriff’s Department nothing changes. Not for me and not for you.

Jimmy the Crotch, as they say in Texas, is “all hat and no cattle.” He keeps trying to tell us what a great job he is doing by getting the department accredited and instituting all sorts of innovations and now I understand he wants to implement some kind of training facility (Academy) at the Department. He can spend every dollar that we give him, but nothing changes for you and me. The only people who benefit from your hard work and my hard earned tax dollars are the people who never leave the building on Gibson Road. With the glaring exception, of course, of Jimmy the Crotch. He is rarely around. He hands over the office to a stand-in and heads off to build his resume and do a little moonlighting. The stand-in, Tim James, is much too busy looking after his future and trashing the moral of the department to worry about you or me. You see, I do have conversations with deputies from time to time.

With all the accrediting and innovations, you would think that Lexington County is way ahead of the game when it comes to having a well managed law enforcement agency. Think again. What happens when someone doesn’t go along with his program, like the lady in Batesburg-Leesville. He grabs his private parts and makes a lewd gesture. We build a new courthouse (it took a period of time), but somehow it didn’t occur to Jimmy the Crotch that he would need more deputies. What is his brilliant solution? To take deputies off the road, where the public needs them to be, and put them in the courthouse doing security. That’s just great. Now, instead of out enforcing the law, we’ll have a dozen of our experienced deputies (maybe even you, Joelh) looking into old ladies’ purses to see if they are packing guns or explosives.

The LCSD is a management nightmare. Our money has been wasted on all sorts of unnecessary eyewash. Accreditation that is meaningless, innovations that aren’t (a telephone number to a deputy’s taped message? Please), and a department that has no discernable morale. You could go to any high school football game played in Lexington County, throw a rock, and hit someone who would be able to manage the Sheriff’s Department better than the Crotch Doctor.

Who, in the end, really pays the price for Jimmy the Crotch’s incompetent bungling? You and I do. You pay because you have to absorb all the criticism (and crappy details) for his mismanagement and Looney planning. Remember, there are a lot of folks out here, like me, who assume we have provided you with everything you need to do your job as well as it can be done. Is it any wonder that people get upset when they think the Sheriff’s Department is not concerned about their problems? I, and my fellow civilians, pay, too. The Crotch Doctor spent the money we gave him on a bunch of crap that nobody cared about or wanted. Now, I really don’t expect to receive the services I believe we are entitled to in Lexington County. The money we thought was going to support our deputies got diverted to frivolities to make a lackluster Sheriff look clever.

If Jimmy the Crotch managed an Auntie M’s pretzel stand the way he has managed the LCSD, he’d be broke in a week. Wait a minute; I think he has already lost his shirt in the restaurant business.

Joelh, I have nothing but the greatest respect for you and I want to thank you for job you do. I hope you will join with me, and everybody I know, and arrange for you to have a Sheriff who is worthy of having an employee such as yourself. All you have to do is go to the poll on June 8th and vote to hire a new Sheriff; Larry Harrison.

Let’s be careful our there……………………

[Anonymous]

Well again then i say i am sorry DVM
I misunderstood you.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the school adminstrators feel about having cops in the school? I have heard that they (principles) try to cover up alot of the incidents to keep the school from looking bad.

[Anonymous]

I really can't say how school administrators feel about having cops in school. Considering how long the SRO program has been around, they must be getting used to the idea by now. As for trying to cover up incidents, I don't think so. It would be self defeating.

[Anonymous]

Under the "No Child Left Behind", if a school has 2 or more serious incidents 2 yrs in a row, then the school is considered unsafe, and the parent can have their child(ren) moved to another school at the expense of the school district. There are a number of schools that have had this problem, and some of the SROs have been "promoted" (without any pay raise) to other positions without putting in for them. There are some school; from what I hear from deputy friends of mine, that Jimmy has a HARD time filling the SRO position. It goes as far as he has to look outside the sheriff's department to get someone, who does not have a clue Also, Principals have absolute power in their schools. Now you have someone in there, that they have NO power over. Now do you think they are happy about that? There have been at least 2 principals in this state that have gone to jail for not reporting and covering up incidents. OH YES they cover up, GOD FORBID IF THEY HAVE A BAD REPORT CARD AND THEY WILL BE DAMNED IF THEIR SCHOOL WILL BE CALLED UNSAFE, BECAUSE OF A POLICE REPORT. :shock:

[Anonymous]

If two have gone to jail for "covering up" incidents, then I would say that it is evident that it is self defeating to go that route. Once again, I think it is the teachers job to teach students, it is the job of the police to enforce the law. I think it is deplorable, if it is in fact the case, that law enforcement and education are not working together to solve these problems in our schools. Where is Jimmy the Crotch, publicly, on this issue? Other than trying to hoodwink a deputy into accepting an unsupported assignement, what is he doing to resolve these issues? Where is Timmy James when you need him? The LCSD is Nationally Accredited, can't they do something more about a problem that is this important to our county?

[Anonymous]

Guest 101,

Do you have any info on the two principles charged with not reporting incidents? I would like to research it.

[Anonymous]

The information I was told is that one was from Sumter and the other was in Charleston ( I want to say Summerville, but I am not sure). I'll have to get with my friends and find out for sure.

[Anonymous]

"aggressive street enforcement" That's a joke. The good people of lexington county could not handle that. You people get one ticket and your calling king Jake to get you out of it. Please!!!! and for the vast number of gang members that go around and do what, spray paint walls?oh my god we have a gang problem, run run the gangs are taking over my little angels school, yea right. You want gangs, look at Atlanta. Until then let it go people, focus on something more important like putting your "my child is a honor roll student in the second to last state in the nation for education" bumper sticker in the right place!

[Anonymous]

How do you know we can't handle aggressive street enforcement? I don't think Jimmy the Crotch has ever tried it. By the way, if you are aware of public corruption you should call the State Grand Jury.

The reason we are concerned about the gang problem is because we don't want Lexington County to turn into DeKalb County (that's were Atlanta is located). However, if Jimmy the Crotch sits on his free hand long enough, we will have exactly the same kinds of problems in Lexington as they have in Atlanta.

Doesn't know what to do about corruption and thinks the gang problem is a joke. One thing we do know. The parents of "Serving You" were never burdend with the task of putting an "honor roll" bumper sticker on their car.

[Anonymous]

I have noticed that Lott and his boys are taking this gang business pretty serious, and are looking for any help from anyone who get a handle on them and let them know who is in charge of the county. Ol' jimmy, you, no timmy, is behind again. What do you need to wake up and do something? I hope that another drive-by shooting or another Irmo football game fight does not need to happen AGAIN ! Dump your real job of teaching in Charleston and PRETEND to show some interest in being a sheriff and show that you make believe that you care about the citizens of Lexington County. PRETEND that you care about our children, PRETEND that you care about your employees, and PRETEND that you know what is going on inside your own house.

[Nosey]

Does anyone know how the school adminstrators feel about having cops in the school? I have heard that they (principles) try to cover up alot of the incidents to keep the school from looking bad.

Not being an employee of the SD, but knowing one of the "deputies in schools"... I know of a particular incident that involved an "allstar" student that was causing trouble. The deputy was doing their duty and when it was taken to the principal, the principal just "let it go". Said it wouldn't look good if the child was reprimanded via suspension (which is what was called for due to the offense) due to the fact that the parent was a very "influencial person" in the school system there and in the county. So am I understanding that the children of "wealthy parents" should be treated better than a child of "medium range pay to poor parents"???? :?:

[Anonymous]

Jake Knotts wasn't involved in this anywhere was he? He loves to put in a little "influence" where ever he can.

[Anonymous]

Well I can tell how much Sheriff Metts cares about gangs and the business leaders of Irmo. Sheriff Metts and Sheriff Lott were on the agenda at a LARGE business meeting today and only Sheriff Lott showed. Sheriff Metts has lost my vote and the votes of many others, though not because of this one incident. Sheriff Lott and Mr. Harrison appear to share a lot of qualities and we have been very impressed with Sheriff Lott's performance. Mr. Harrison will have our support since he at least returns calls and spends the time to give us his input and answer our questions. :evil:

Harrison for Sheriff in 2004!

[Anonymous]

Trust me Irmo voter, as soon as he sees this post (yes, he frequents this site!) he will be back to you and telling you whatever he thinks you want to hear. EVERYONE knows that in an election year (especially this one because of Harrison) you are going to see and hear ALOT of Metts and when he screws up, twice that amount. Lots of wind and no sailing! I am with you..GO Harrison! :D

[Anonymous]

huh?

[Anonymous]

I would like to know more about the "No Child Left Behind" and the ability to transfer to another school if 2 bad incidents are reported in the school. Is there a list of schools that have received "bad" incident reports?

[Anonymous]

Are there gangs in sc?

[Anonymous]

Are there gangs in sc?

In SC? Yes
In Lexington County? Yes
In Richland County? Yes
In Columbia? Yes

I don't mean to alarm you but there are gangs. Motorcycle Gangs, Hate Groups (i.e. KKK), National Gangs (Both "Blood" and "Crips") and loose knit local gangs....they are all here and anyone who doesn't work the street everyday who says otherwise is just being foolish to deny it.

[Anonymous]

You would be crazy to think that all of the gangs just "spraypaint" on buildings. As an EMS employee we responded to a call this past year, the gang members were fighting, they beat this kid in the head with a steal pipe, even when he was unconscious. Then you see the colored bandanas lying around on the ground and tell me its not gand related. And they will retaliate, its just a matter of time. Thank God its not in my neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

There are not any real gangs in Lexington County, only wanna be's..They are not a real problem. I get more grief from the gangs of rednecks in gaston then anywhere else. Come on...get real...no gangs here, especially in city of cola.

[Anonymous]

There are not any real gangs in Lexington County, only wanna be's..They are not a real problem. I get more grief from the gangs of rednecks in gaston then anywhere else. Come on...get real...no gangs here, especially in city of cola.

folk, i do hope this was said with tongue in cheek and you really aren't that naive?

[gone]

I hope that wasn't a serious comment about not having gangs in Lexington County. They are EVERYWHERE....not just Lexington County. We were thinking about buying property in Sandy Run and a police friend told me to hold off because there is some dangerous gangs out there....mainly on the Calhoun County side but there is some on our side as well.

One thing I will say is that in the rural parts of Lexington County, they better hope they don't get too close to someone's house because 99% of us are armed and wouldn't think twice about blowing away scum like that if we are threatened.

As far as gangs in schools....that's why my kid goes to a Christian school as opposed to public school. They don't take state funding so they can kick out anyone who acts like that. That doesn't mean my child is 100% protected....no school can provide that kind of protection....but I feel she is safer there than in a public school.

Sassie