Top cops push anti-crime billsPolice seek help ending the bloodshed By Glenn Smith (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt slapped a cardboard display on his conference table Monday afternoon and pointed to a series of 26 photographs. Each one had an image of a dead person riddled with gunshots, stab wounds or some other grievous injury. Each person, slain in Zumalt's city last year. Pale corpses, covered with gore, violated and lifeless. 
"We get labeled the seventh-most-dangerous city in America, and my take is: It runs a lot deeper than North Charleston," Zumalt said. "We are the most violent state in the nation. It's just that simple. And we need help." Zumalt and other top police officials from Charleston County are pushing state lawmakers to adopt a five-point plan aimed at cracking down on violent criminals and ending the bloodshed spilling across the region. Also involved in the effort are county Sheriff Al Cannon, Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen and Mount Pleasant Police Chief Harry Sewell. Some suggestions mirror pending legislation; others are their own. The goal, they said, is to address shortcomings in South Carolina's criminal justice system that allow habitual offenders to continue preying on communities. The group wants state officials to: Five-point plan backed by police officialsNo parole Abolish parole for violent offenders; require they serve at least 85 percent of their sentence. Searches Allow law enforcement to search offenders on probation or parole without a warrant. Bail reform Prevent violent offenders from committing new crimes while free on bail in other cases. DNA samples Allow authorities to collect DNA samples from suspects at the time of arrest for some crimes. More judges Provide funding to hire three more judges each for the circuit and family courts. -- Support state Attorney General Henry McMaster's proposal to abolish parole for violent offenders and require they serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for release. -- Allow authorities to search offenders on probation or parole without a warrant. --Review the bond hearing process to prevent violent offenders from committing new crimes while free on bail in other cases. -- Allow authorities to collect DNA samples from suspects at the time of arrest for certain crimes. -- Provide funds to hire three more judges each for the circuit and family courts to reduce the case-load and allow charges to come to trial more quickly. They request one new judge from each court be assigned to the Charleston area. The police chiefs and Cannon recently briefed Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell on the proposals and are preparing to reach out to other area legislators. McConnell said he is in "lockstep" with the chiefs and Cannon, and will make the legislation a priority this year. Cannon said he understands some may object to funding the proposals. "But how do you compare these costs to the lives on that board there?" he asked, pointing to the display of homicide victims. North Charleston, home to nearly half of the 3,900 Charleston County residents on probation and parole, has been particularly hard-hit by violence. The city has had 55 homicides in the past two years, and already six people have been slain in 2008. The latest killing occurred Sunday night when a 20-year-old man was gunned down outside an East Montague Avenue store. Zumalt said many slayings appear to be retaliatory in nature, carried out by repeat offenders who manipulate the justice system and are set free time and again. "We need to close that door." At a glanceHere's a look at some of the anti-crime measures before the Legislature: WARRANTLESS SEARCHES: Require juvenile and adult offenders to submit to search and seizure with or without cause as a condition of release, whether for furlough, probation or parole. Senate bill 1056 is expected to be debated today in the Senate Judiciary Committee. DENYING BAIL: Allow judges to deny repeat violent offenders the right to stay on the street while they await court action. Currently, bail can only be denied for those charged with capital offenses and certain serious crimes. Senate bill 1053 is scheduled for debate in today's committee. A corresponding resolution, 1055, proposes a constitutional amendment to solidify the legislation. DNA SAMPLING: Require a saliva or tissue sample be taken at the time of arrest for felonies and charges that carry sentences of five or more years. Bill 890 passed the Senate on Jan. 23 and is awaiting consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. ABOLISH PAROLE: Require violent offenders to serve a minimum of 85 percent of a sentence before good behavior can be considered for release as per an initiative by Attorney General Henry McMaster. Introduced in the House and Senate as bills 4309 and 894, respectively. On the Web For more information on the bills, log on to scstatehouse.net. Sewell said the cities are hardly alone in this problem. He pointed to a Christmas killing in his town that claimed the life of a 73-year-old retired teacher. The suspect was free despite a history of assault, including an incident in Charleston in which he badly beat a woman. "That person should be in jail," he said. Cannon said the state needs to move cases through the judicial system more quickly and tighten bond requirements to prevent offenders from committing more crimes while awaiting trial. Authorities should be able to search the homes and persons of people on probation and parole to make sure they're not carrying guns or drugs. Filling a database with suspects' DNA also will help investigators solve crimes more quickly, he said. Measures such as warrantless searches and DNA sampling have encountered resistance at the state level, where some have raised questions about privacy and fairness. But there has been some movement on the issues. McConnell formed the Criminal Justice System Task Force in the summer of 2006 to address rates of violent crime. Last year, the panel generated legislation that was passed into law to allow the state grand jury to investigate gangs and allow law enforcement agencies to create multi-jurisdictional task forces. The Senate panel is working on a number of bills that failed to get the needed support last year, including measures to allow DNA sampling and warrantless searches as a condition of probation and parole. Several of those bills are expected to be debated today in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which McConnell chairs. Others, such as the legislation involving the DNA database, have passed the Senate and are awaiting action in the House. Some measures, though, are contingent on one another. For instance, McConnell said, to abolish parole the state must have room in the jails, many of which are overcrowded. So, the Legislature must also pursue alternative sentencing guidelines for nonviolent criminals, McConnell said. Some bills might be a harder sell this year than others. The state is facing a tough budget year, but McConnell said he wants to see a minimum of two additional circuit court judges approved. "I don't think we can wait," McConnell said. "I think we are going to have to find that money. In the scheme of things, that is not that much money. We're just going to have to make some cuts." Zumalt said he hopes the public will support the proposals and give law enforcement the tools it needs. The state has not done nearly enough to address the problem, even though South Carolina has ranked first in the nation, per capita, for violent crime in all of the past seven years except 2001, he said. "I'm afraid the people in this state have grown used to so much violence," Zumalt said. "This isn't normal. Something needs to be done." Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 32 comment(s)
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on February 12, 2008 at 3:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I'm afraid the people in this state have grown used to so much violence," Zumalt said.
I disagree, I think that's why so many people find it disgusting...we are NOT used to this kind of behavior so close to home.
Posted by MC29461 on February 12, 2008 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Zumalt and the others as too many people have grown used to this level of violence and the politicians and sociologists seemed to be paralyzed by analysis of the problem.
There is only one thing that will have a sure impact on this problem, release law enforcement to do they job they were paid to do which is put criminals in jail and not try hare-brained schemes to make the public love them and the weak spine politicians.
Probation and Parole is nothing but a publically funded pension plan for political appointees much like so many SLED agents who get paid to "assist" local law enforcement.
Posted by moonpie on February 12, 2008 at 6:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently we are not that bad. Go to Yahoo and visit the worst places to live. Crime is unbelievable in those places. While I do think ours is bad some places are even worst. This is something predicted years ago with the demise of the traditional family.
When kids raise kids this is what you get.
Posted by karmann on February 12, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard it before that more judges would allow the court docket move faster and ease crowding at the jail. Sounds like a good idea to me. What about federal charges against those committing a crime with a gun?
Posted by lantanagurl on February 12, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As always, people make comments about a subject of which they know relatively little, e.g. abolish parole & probation. Check with the Public Defenders Office (Ashley Pennington, Exec. Director) at 101 Meeting Street & you will find accurate and up-to-date information about crime in Charleston, as well as SC.
Posted by ChrisPia on February 12, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud these Chiefs for recognizing the problems and trying for a solution....Thank You,Be Safe.
If an Officer at anytime Fears for his Safety He can Pat down the individual and search the immediate area where the individual can reach to.(including cars).He Then must articulate why in court.(Hand movements, sweating,stumbling on words,false information,furtile movements,High Crime areas,Fit Description of Suspects for violent crimes ETc)..Stop ,Question, FRisk...For Your Safety.
Posted by MotoryachtSoCo on February 12, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a freaking mess!
I going to leave ya'll with this and have another cup of coffee along with a dozen girl scout cookies:
http://postandcourierblogs.com/life_floa...
PS Let's give the cops what they want, its a thankless job, that most of us don't care to do.
Posted by DanniD on February 12, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now if they can put they ideas into action...we would be in business
Posted by olroofer on February 12, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah give police more money! I'ts obviously working, just look at the sky high crime rate we have! Okay, we pay these outrageous tax bills to fund the police and prison system, then we make the laws stiffer so Mr. Criminal stays in jail longer. Soooo then he gets to coastville corrections where he makes some money on the side selling drugs to other inmates, while watching TV, pumpin' iron, or basketball maybe. COME ON PEOPLE! We send the scums of earth to a extended Lazy Man retreat! With all the fixins! Why not try work camps like in Texas. Sleep in the conditions, with guards cocked, locked, and anxious. Take away the processed food, that we have prepared for them, make them grow it! Bad crop year, too bad, here's some dried beans, or rice.(super cheap!) Oh they may get sick or even die...WHO CARES! THEY ARE CONVICTS, WHO HAVE CHOSE TO TAKE THE PATH THEY HAVE MADE. I know in my heart, if you make prison a place where you "will" die a horrible labor filled death, crime rates will lower. What jobs can we give them? ALL the jobs that make no money, but taxpayers have to pay for. Tear offs, demoltion, roads, sewer. Danger to the public? Yeah, but not as dangerous as them on the outside free. As a company owner and concealed weapon permit holder, I would be glad to pay the gov't $25/30 to rent one of those scums to do demolition work, I could care less if he fell and got seriously injured, let him die of complications. They lost their rights when the hammer fell. C'MON AMERICA lets get our cities and towns back, and screw the hardened criminals thats been screwing us, and laughing at us in their cozy prison cell, watching TV we paid for!!!
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on February 12, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I for one am NOT used to the violence...it scares the living daylights out of me just to go to any of the local malls..I choose to do most of my shopping online, not just to save gas, but to make sure that my car windows are intact once I'm done spending! I quit my job at the plasma center in N. Charleston because of the crime rate, and many times, the people employed there tried to go home at the end of the day to find their cars were not in the back parking lot. I remember once receiving a phone call at work letting one worker know her car was found on Dorchester Rd. with the engine running before she even knew it was missing! It is a horrible state of affairs, and I believe, as one poster stated above, that it is because of the demise of the "traditional" family...so many kids are running amok because it's all they know. I also agree with MotoryachtSoCo that we should be drinking coffee and eating Girl Scout Cookies.
Posted by ln1959 on February 12, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Growing up on James Island and moving to the DC area, I would never have thought that crime in Charleston, N. Charleston, hell SC at that, would be such an issue. But ever time I get online to see whats happening in the place that I love so much, I read about someone getting rob, stab or shot. DC is a very bad place. There is about two to three shotting everyday, but it looks like SC is trying to out do them. Please give the police what they need. I was scared of them when I was growing up and that fear needs to be put back into our youth today. There are no respect for parents, or the police anymore. So lock there fools up and throw away the keys.
Posted by kma71 on February 12, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally agree with you olroofer, let them earn their keep. The he** with this lounging around and watching tv. Put their as**s to WORK!! REAL WORK!!!!
Posted by gmc1 on February 12, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone around here knows what the problem is, we just can't mention it. The naacp and people like the good rev. joe darby and robert ford will be up in arms. Well , the problem ain't going away and it's getting worse. You may silence others and turn a blind eye to your problem, but the body count will continue to rise.
Posted by BillytheKid on February 12, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
all we need is more prisons, they have enough laws on the books. and warrantless searches is not a road I want the police to go down. I have given up enough rights because of 9-11.
Posted by groover on February 12, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad that the police departments are combining their efforts to crack down on the violent crimes in this area. Unfortunately, it is going to take a little more than lengthening sentences. We need more hands on police men and woman preventing these crimes. Investigations of criminals and the people that associate with these criminals. It is time South Carolina starts protecting the people that are playing by the rules and truly want a better life. My and I are expecting a baby this year and I am truly fearful to raise a child in this state. If things do not get better we will have to relocate to a state that cares about their residents. I think we live in a day and time where these criminal acts should not even occur. I would like to see the "hammer" thrown down on these punks.
Extremely Concerned!
18 year resident in South Carolina
Posted by zmysticman on February 12, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets see what SC is about--7th most violent state in the nation, one of the largest prison systems with the most prisoners, on the bottom of the education list, bottom of the unemployment list, bottom of poverty list, bottom of the health care list, and we could go on and on. Sounds like a great place to raise your kids, live long and prosper. Beautiful SC.
Posted by KidYendor on February 12, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
End welfare if you want to end crime.
Posted by sullivan on February 12, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a baby boomer born in N.Charleston and now living near another high crime area--Detroit. The problems that I see my birthplace experience are not exclusive for the Charleston or S. Carolina area but are a a result of a taking of authority from parents , teachers & law authority by the legal profession, so we can continue to treat cure with our tax dollars instead of prevention.Hiring more judges & funding more prisons has not worked in the past & will not work in the future.All this mindset does is fund a legal system that has failed us all miserably.When we encourage and fund single parent households and micro- manage a parents or teachers authority, fed by the drug culture & NO FEAR generation of youth & young adults ,it promotes the results we are seeing nationwide.Where are the social & spiritual leaders??Government is not the answer unless we elect to surrender all of our reponsibility & resources to government leaders to spend good monies after bad. Children Need Both Parents or at minimum Dependable Mentors.
Posted by 2dogs1bear on February 12, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the problem with police conducting warrantless searches on probationers and parolees? Dang good idea.
If they are on probation or paroled they have set themselves up to be fair game for a search. No reason to trust them, they have to earn it.
Posted by 2dogs1bear on February 12, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure not used to the violence.
It burns me up that my grandkids have to be raised in such a God awful mess that exists here in Charleston these days, and that every time I take them somewhere, ANYWHERE, I have to be on the alert for pervs, psychos, and sociopaths.
Posted by pezlady on February 12, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO, raregar!! If that happens, I won't be going anywhere near N.Chas!!
Posted by ccfromsc on February 12, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why now with this? A lot of these "kids" are the product of parents that years ago were the crackheads and the original "gangstas" that the music videos so idolize. We are reaping what has been sowed. Why complain now?
Posted by ChrisPia on February 12, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Palmetto Man, Good to see you Found the Crime stats site. Now If Only All South Carolinians would go there and See where SC stands in Violent Crime...We are #1..
I agree we need to get to the Root of the Problem.I also think that locking everyoneup for minor offenses is not the solution. The reason why is simple : you take a police officer Off the Street to Process the arrest and give the free area to the violent criminal..We Need to issue summonses in liew of arrest for Non-Violent offenders instead of throwing them in jail...It will keep more manpower on the streets and Hopefully free up the jails.
We Need The State & Federal government to finance programs to combat violent street crime as the do DUI.
We Need Experienced aggressive officers to accomplish a drop in crime. We need all types of Unmarked cars to be patrolling the areas to keep the Felons thinking.
Basically We Need It Now and I applaud Some of the Chiefs For Trying.
Posted by MC29461 on February 12, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need law enforcement reform to refocus police back to the basics of catching criminals and NOT using them for other politically correct social diversion programs.
Criminal Justice professors (sociologists) today are feeding the public with too many "feel good" solutions that are just experiments in wasting grant money and police time.
Get the police out of the community substations, malls and babysitting schools and put them back on patrol where the crime is actually taking place.
Also, if schools are so unsafe that society needs to take a policeman off patrol and post them in the halls, then it is probably too unsafe for the average student to be able to safely learn or teacher to safely teach.
Would we stand for having our workplace so violent that a policeman is needed to keep order on a constant basis or have our elected school boards abrogated their responsibility to keep schools safe?
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on February 12, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses... on your powers, instead of your problems.
-Paul J. Meyer
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on February 12, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.” Buddha
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on February 12, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“The reason why the world lacks unity, and lies broken and in heaps, is, because man is disunited with himself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posted by 2dogs1bear on February 12, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where ARE all these guns coming from??
Posted by abitskeptical on February 12, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do some of you think past your noses?
We have checks and balances in place(warrants before a search for example) because the writers of the Constituion were wise enough to realize that it is a fact of the human condition that people in authority and power have been known to abuse it. Getting a warrant for a search is not a very difficult thing to do, but it is at least a step to hold the 'searchers' accountable in some fashion.
It is a fact that some people who are innocent get convicted because there are corrupt forces within the criminal justice system itself. The only reason it is not more corrupt than it already is is that there remain at least a few checks and balances.
Posted by ChrisPia on February 12, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Being #1 in Violent Crime SC law Enforcement agencies Should not have a problem getting Grants Such as:
Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistanc Grant
Byrne Discretionary Grant
Byrne Competitive grants
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
Regional Information Sharing System
Weed and Seed Grants
Hiring Grants
Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction
Bullet Proof Vests
State Homeland security Grant Programs
Urban security Initiative grants
Law enforcement terrorism prevention program.
These Grants are out there and Have Millions of Dollars in them to help alleviate costs for the Counties.
Why Not Asking the Politicians for some of the pork barrel monies...
Let's apply for these Grants and Use the Money to Combat violent Crime. NOT USE IT as Slush Funds!
Posted by moree on February 12, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To PalmettoMan and gmc1, if you think this is only a "black thang" you speak from a position of ignorance. Your statement is part of the reason why the crime rate is so high, no one seems to want to do anything about crime because they think it only affects a certain race or a certain class of people. If you feel that the high crime rate is only a "black thang", leave your doors unlocked tonight...Let's look past race and start talking about the real issues. Peace be with you!
Posted by olroofer on February 12, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
USE THE CONVICTS TO OUR ADVANTAGE! Slaps some big ol' fat chains on their legs and hand them a hand saw. Dang trees in my neighborhood are tool tall for my insurance costs. The object here is to cut crime while cutting taxes. Oh, I hope I'm not out of line by saying this but turning this into a "racial thing is as funny as watching sumo wrestling in slow motion. Anyone need a good roofer? YEAH.....