“All Hands On Deck” in Five Points

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — It’s debated that the Five Points by day is totally different than the Five Points by night. But, one thing no one can deny is the public outcry to stop the reported violence. 

“A weekend for a college town typically starts on a Thursday, Saturday into early morning on Sunday,” says Jennifer Timmons, Spokesperson for the Columbia Police Department 

For Five Points, those days can mean busy streets. For police, it means added patrols. 

“Whether it’s a home game, away game, off season, on season we always have an operational plan in place for Five Points,” says Timmons

That was also the case on Saturday night into Sunday morning when 18 year old USC student, Martha Childress was shot while waiting for a taxi at the fountain. 

That night alone, we’re told at least ten officers were on patrol just in Five Points. 

Timmons recalls one officer’s pain from the events of that night. 

“He was on patrol and said that he went up to her and it has affected him tremendously,” says Timmons

The crime has also affected the community. 

“The whole neighborhood, the merchants, the board… we’re all devastated,” says Amy Beth Franks, Five Points Association Executive Director. 

Franks says the board called a meeting Friday to discuss changes. 

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s all hands on deck,” says Franks. 

And we’re told, plans are in place to beef up security this weekend. 

“They are really going to have increased patrols down here, higher visibility, traffic teams, SLED will have a presence. I know that CPD has reached out to the Sheriff’s Office for a presence down here,” says Franks.  

“We’ve also learned the victim of this weekend’s shooting 18 year old Martha Childress and her family are planning a forum on USC’s campus to discuss violence in Five Points.