Crime watch program revived after tragedy in West Cola neighborhood

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WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Almost one month has passed since a man was gunned-down at his house in Rolling Meadows mobile home park in West Columbia. Residents and friends are using the tragedy to revive their failed neighborhood watch program. Rolling Meadows residents have asked the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for help. On Tuesday night, at the Living Waters Christian Center on Highway 321, members of Hispanic and African-American churches came together to plan a course of action with sheriff’s deputies. “It is very bothersome to know that I have members and parishioners living in fear,” Living Waters pastor DeAngelo Cokley says. The sheriff’s office says it’s excited to see a community tackling tragedy head on. “They’re going to be able to share information with us before a crime, or before something tragic happens,” captain Adam Myrick says. The opened communication with law enforcement, combined with a renewed sense of faith, nearby pastors say will allow the community to experience success. “Stop the crimes, stop the violence, stop the drug activity and remember, there are lives that are being impacted through the senseless acts that you are doing,” pastor Cokley says. Sheriff’s deputies say they’ve upped patrols since the murder, and the deputy who regularly patrols the area is from Rolling Meadows, so he’s got an upper hand on knowing what’s going on.