Arming Yourself Against Crime

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) Sheriff Leon Lott declared October as Crime Prevention Month, and is now asking residents to be vigilant by using tips to keep themselves safe year round. Deputy Arielle Riposta says the best way to keep yourself safe is by staying alert, being aware of your surroundings and always anticipating what crimes could happen, so if they do you won’t be caught off guard. Officials say doing simple things like, removing tempting items from your vehicle and placing them int he trunk of your car when you leave, or walking to your destination with a friend can help reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Overall, crime is down in the county. However, some violent crimes like burglaries and robberies are experiencing a slight increase. In Fact, those acts of violence have gone up about 34 percent from this same time last year. One of the main reasons the sheriff’s department says it’s so important to arm yourself with the information you’ll need before a crime occurs. The goal of Crime Prevention month is educating citizens about how they can protect themselves. The county is doing everything they can to make that a reality by offering programs like free self defense classes for women, and home safeguard tours at your request. For more information about these programs, email the Richland County Sheriff’s office at RCSD.net