Lake City residents talk with police about crime

LAKE CITY — Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown said the key to stopping crimes is taking a proactive approach.

Brown said that when he became police chief, he and his staff conducted a study of where the most crime was taking place in the town. As a result of the study, Brown said his department placed police officers in those areas and that, since then, he’s seen a decrease in crime.

“We have to be seen,“ Brown said to about 30 people gathered Thursday in the courtroom of the Lake City Municipal Complex for a forum to address crime issues.

Lake City Mayor Lovith Anderson Jr. said city leaders want to be responsive in all issues relating to crime. He said he can remember the days growing up in Lake City during a time when certain crime issues the city now faces weren’t an issue.

Anderson said citizens are calling police officers and giving tips when they see suspicious activity.

“You all is what makes it work,“ Anderson said.

“You are important to us,“ he said. “You’re the heart of the community.“

Anderson said Brown and Narcotic/Gangs Investigator Lt. Joseph Cooper have attended several trainings on gang-related issues and are using the skills they’ve learned to educate the community.

Brown said citizens need to walk and jog on a track instead of on the streets during the mornings and evenings. He said citizens should walk and jog in well-lighted areas. He also said that if citizens have a complaint on dogs, a police officer will complete a report and call animal control.

Lake City city councilman Jason Springs said it is important for residents to watch their neighbors’ homes when the neighbors are out of town. He said citizens need to communicate with one another and provide help when needed.

Brown said police officers will check property when residents are out of town and that citizens need to notify police officers of when they’re going to be away. The police department will ask for a contact number so that residents can be notified if police officers need to report any wrongful activity, he said.

John McCutcheon complained about the speed of vehicles traveling on Williams Street, where he lives. He said he has small children and that he is afraid for them to play outside.

Brown said a police officer will be assigned to that area.

Lake City Assistant Police Chief Bobby Williams said that right now, the only crime-watch areas in Lake City are in the areas of Graham Road and Swan Lake Apartments. He said citizens interested in starting crime watch zones in their neighborhood should call him for assistance. Crime-watch zones are run by the citizens who live in the neighborhoods, he said, and police officers are available to provide the necessary training.

Brown said everyone has a right to shop at local stores and eat in restaurants and feel safe. He said he has an open-door policy and wants to hear the concerns and questions of citizens.

Anderson said Lake City administration and the Lake City Police Department have a good working relationship. He said he also has an open-door policy.

Lake City Police Lt. Roger Tilton gave residents at the forum a few precautions to take because of the holiday season quickly approaching. Tilton said cars should have their doors locked and have nothing valuable left inside.

Residents who will be away from home should leave a porch light on and take steps to keep mail and newspapers from piling up in mailboxes, Tilton said. It is also a good idea to leave a car in the yard if a resident is going to be away from home for a long time, he said.

Tilton also said bicycles need to be stored in a garage or locked when not being used.