OPINION: Clio, police providing town with 24-hour security, peace of mind

All people have the right to feel safe in their community, and many people perceive increased police presence as a crime deterrent.
For that reason, the people of Clio in Dillon County have told their town council members they want 24-hour policing.
A week ago, the council delivered, giving the town 24-hour police protection for the first time in its history.
Clio Police Chief Pearlie Thomas is working to schedule the four-member police department to work around the clock beginning Aug. 1. Marlboro County sheriff’s deputies will continue to support Thomas’ 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 and agreed it was needed.
It seems nothing in particular prompted the action, but town residents have said they would feel safer knowing a police officer was on duty at all times.
“We knew the town wanted it just from listening to citizens,” first-year Clio town Councilman Tim Branch said. “Me, being a citizen, I felt the same way. I’ve got children, that’s the big thing ... I’ve got an interest in this town because of my children. That’s the main reason.”
Town 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. But all in Clio seem to agree that you can’t put a price on safety.
Another small Pee Dee town, Society Hill in Darlington County, resumed 24-hour policing in early 2008 after a nearly year-long hiatus.
“Residents were just as much protected when there wasn’t 24-hour policing,” Society Hill Police Chief Jesse Rogers said in a February 2008 interview, “but they have voiced their concerns and we want to make sure they are happy and, since we can afford to, now that is what we’re doing.”
Last month, Rogers’ department eliminated one of its police officer positions because of budget constraints but will maintain 24-hour policing of the town.
Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd also told Darlington’s News & Press that during the nights when no Society Hill officers are on duty, a deputy will be assigned to Society Hill. It won’t compromise coverage for the rest of the county, he said, as student resource officers are reassigned for the summer.
We hope that this move by Clio Town Council and its police force will provide peace of mind for its residents.
We also hope they will remember people also must play a role in their own safety. Police and deputies can’t do it alone — nor should they be expected to do so.
The addition of 24-hour policing won’t pay off unless people are vigilant about what is going on in their community and make the effort to keep it safe.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).