Clio Town Council votes for town's first ever 24-hour police protection

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Published: July 18, 2009

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CLIO — Clio Town Council voted late Thursday night to bring 24-hour police protection to the town for the first time in its history.

The 24-hour coverage will begin Aug. 1 for the town.

Town council voted on the matter after meeting in executive session for more than an hour.

Council announced Clio Police Chief Pearlie Thomas will spend the next few weeks working to schedule the four-member police department to work around the clock.

Council members said Marlboro County sheriff’s deputies will support the small department in the meantime by patrolling the town.

Clio Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Samuel McCollum, who has been serving on the body for about six years, said talks of having a 24-hour police protection have been going on for some time.

“The town needs 24-hour-protection,” McCollum said.

First-year Clio town Councilman Tim Branch said they began discussing the matter again seriously in June.

“We knew the town wanted it just from listening to citizens,” Branch said. “Me, being a citizen, I felt the same way. I’ve got children, that’s the big thing.

“I’m not saying Clio is a bad town, it’s wonderful. I’ve got an interest in this town because of my children. That’s the main reason.”

There have been some break-ins reported in town limits, but nothing major, Branch said.

“Little things are going to happen, regardless of if we have 24-hour protection,” McCollum said.

Council members wouldn’t reveal exactly which hours police aren’t patrolling Clio, which has a population of about 774 people.

“We don’t want to put that information out there,” Branch said. “I’ll put it this way: there are very few hours not covered.”

Clio resident Betty Barrington said she has been living in the small town for about 42 years and is happy with Council’s decision.

“I might say it is long overdo,” she said. “I’ve been very pleased with the council and them seeing to it that the citizens got what they wanted and what they needed.”

Barrington, a Blenheim native, said she and her husband reared five children in Clio.

She said she hasn’t seen any crime in a while, but she’s seen some evidence of illegal activity.

“It’s been years since I’ve had any stealing,” she said. “I’ve seen evidence in vacant houses of homeless people living there.”

Council members said it will take more money to have 24-hour police protection. How much more and where the funds will come from has yet to be decided.

Staff writer Jamie Rogers can be reached at (843) 317-7266.