Wukela, Pearce discuss public safety improvements

FLORENCE — Florence’s mayoral candidates say improving public safety is a priority that requires city leaders to make better use of funding and resources.

Democrat Stephen J. Wukela held a Monday press conference where he was surrounded by two Florence police officers and four firefighters, all wearing T-shirts showing their support for the candidate.

Wukela said city council approved nearly $300,000 related to a downtown building that has undergone no formal appraisal while more police officers and fire stations are needed.

“It seems that the insiders in power always have enough money for special-interest giveaways, but not enough to adequately man the police force,” he said.

Independent candidate Rocky Pearce said Florence needs additional police officers as it grows, but should effectively use the manpower it has.

He advocates community policing, which makes residents less fearful and more willing to help when dealing with authorities, he said.

“When I was a boy, the police officer on the street was the beat cop; everybody knew him,” Pearce said.

Pearce also suggested placing mobile monitored cameras in neighborhoods struggling with crime so that officers can respond quickly if captured video detects illegal activity.

He also said Florence needs more community centers to divert at-risk children and youths from gangs.

In addition, the city should consider adding public safety officers, who are trained to do police work and respond to smaller fires.

Wukela said Florence Police Chief Anson Shells called for 18 additional police officers after a 2007 slaying in the Maple Park neighborhood. He also said the city needs a dedicated anti-gang unit and at least two new fire stations.

Amid his calls for funding of public safety improvements, Wukela criticized city council’s vote last month to allocate nearly $300,000 to the Florence Downtown Development Corp. for the purchase of the former Kimbrell’s Furniture building at 135 S. Dargan St. The building has undergone no formal appraisal, Florence Downtown Development Corp. board member George Jebaily said at the meeting.

The corporation is a nonprofit group established by the city to foster downtown revitalization.

As the city expands, increased fire response times can lead to higher homeowners insurance premiums, Wukela said.

“It will in effect be a back-door tax without the benefit,” Wukela said.

Joe Vanadia, incoming president of the International Association of Firefighters’ Local 3352, was one of the firefighters supporting Wukela. He said Florence built its most recent fire station, on West Palmetto Street, in 1980. Since then, the city’s western side has undergone a vast geographic expansion.

“You’re looking at extended response times, which gives fire a head start and could be catastrophic,” Vanadia said.

To fund public safety improvements, Wukela said a tax increase might not be necessary if the city ends what he called “special-interest giveaways.”

Pearce said he wants the city to attract high-paying jobs and reinvestment in downtown.

“I want more taxpayers, not taxes — and there is a significant difference,” he said.

Wukela said public safety is also an economic issue because businesses considering locating in Florence are aware of the area’s crime issues.