Important Issues to Consider
In the upcoming election, voters will be asked to make a choice about who they want to lead their community law enforcement efforts in the future. That is why I want you to be aware of the current situation as well as my stance on various challenges that face us now and in the coming years. Most of all, I want you to make an informed, intelligent decision on June 10th.
Although this page is somewhat long, it is very important that you understand our challenges. Please take the time to read through it thoroughly so that you can compare my positions and pledges with those of my opponents, and contact me with any questions you may have.
Darlington County is a great place to work and live. There are many positive things to cite about our community and the people living in it, and that is why I have chosen to make it my family’s home. As your Sheriff, I want to help keep it safe and secure, and strengthen the bond we have amongst our friends and neighbors who want the same for their family, too.
~Wayne Byrd
Gangs and Gang Violence
Officials of the current Darlington County Sheriff’s Office have publicly insisted that there are no gangs in Darlington County. Any resident of the county knows that this assertion is not based on facts, but only on what they ‘want’ you to believe.
Here are the facts: Ask any student, teacher, or school administrator and they cannot honestly deny the existence of gangs and gang-related violence in our schools; In my position as Captain of the Darlington Police Department, I routinely encounter gang-related crimes; The Sheriff’s Office operates such that they do not call an apple an apple… they routinely choose not to tag alleged crimes as ‘gang’ crimes, but use other charges to avoid having them look bad in their crime reports to local, state, and national crime statistics reporting agencies.
Interestingly, although the Sheriff’s Office would have our citizens believe there is no evidence of gangs in the county, in a 2005 study conducted by the University of South Carolina, Darlington County Law Enforcement Officials reported the existence of as many as 9, I say again, nine organized gangs in Darlington County.
While the deputies bravely fight these crimes every day, my questions to the Sheriff’s Office Administration are, ‘Why is there a discrepancy? Which one is true? And, why all the “Tom-Foolery?”‘
I will tell you that there are gangs in Darlington County and I plan to deal with them swiftly and severely. But we must all understand that Law Enforcement can’t solve the gang problem alone, and that it will take dedication and real partnerships with the community to fight gangs.
I intend to form a ‘true’ Anti-Gang Squad that will investigate all credible evidence suggesting gang activity, respond ‘in-force’ to any incident in progress, make lawful arrests, and work dilligently with the Prosecutor’s Office to ensure that strong cases are built and convictions are obtained. And since we can only defeat gangs when we understand WHY kids get involved in the first place, my administration will become actively involved with the local schools to reach children during their formative years with Anti-Gang messages that present alternatives to gang membership and violence.
Illegal Drug Activity
Under the current watch, there is no longer a ‘Combined Drug Unit’ to investigate and respond to drug-related crimes. As a result of the discontinuation of this effort by the current administration, there is little cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office and each of the individual Police Departments within the county. The number of successful cases brought to justice have been reduced due to this departmental disconnect.
I believe it is important to enforce the laws of our state, and our nation, concerning the possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs. Not only is this a criminal problem, but a social one, as well. And it is important that we work together to solve it — because it is not just a ‘city’ problem, or a ‘county’ problem… it is a ‘people’ problem.
When I am elected Sheriff, I will re-establish the communication and cooperation between county and city law enforcement agancies, and bring to bear the resources of a team approach to problem solving, operational funding, and subsequent prosecution of drug-related crime. Additionally, because these types of crimes often involve innocent victims, family members, and even children, I will encourage the participation of local organizations to provide appropriate counseling or other services often needed in relation to these crimes.
Warrant Service
Darlington County has thousands of unserved warrants because the Sheriff’s Office Administration does not consider it a priority to serve them. Many of the ones that are being served are often a direct result of affected individuals and businesses doing the work themselves.
In this environment, many alleged criminals are left unprosecuted and charged offenders are seldom, if ever, brought to justice. Efforts of the deputies are futile due to the current administrative flaws, and those ‘outrunning the law’ have little or no respect for the system. Their contempt emboldens them to commit more crimes — they think they will never be caught or forced to face the consequences of their actions. This is not acceptable in a civilized, law-abiding society. And it is certainly not acceptable in Darlington County.
Under my leadership, I will re-think and revamp the procedures used to ensure that there are dedicated resources for expeditious Warrant Service, and will regularly report our progress to the community in this area. Those who have Darlington County Warrants will know that they have ‘no place to hide’ under my administration. They will know that the Sheriff’s Office will tirelessly pursue everything legally permissable to serve or apprehend subjects of Darlington County Warrants.
Arson in Darlington County
Darlington County has the dishonorable distinction as the state’s co-leader of reported arsons (SLED-11/07 & SCINS), yet has no dedicated Arson Investigations Unit. Because of this, the potential for grievous loss is great amongst our residents.
With an average economic cost of nearly $15,000 per incident, and with as much as 25% of every dollar spent on Home or Business Insurance premiums going towards arson, one would think that the Sheriff’s Office would place a greater emphasis on preventing, solving, and prosecuting these crimes. But, it is obvious that they have not.
One has to wonder what can be going on — Arson puts innocent persons and property at risk, results in unnecessary expenditure of Fire and Rescue Department funds, diverts resources from otherwise legitimate Fire/Rescue efforts, and, most importantly, places life in jeopardy. Yet, improper direction and management of investigative efforts have created an ‘atmosphere of arson’ in Darlington County.
Why? How did this happen? Where is the leadership? Where are the priorities? Who is managing and directing the investigative resources of our county law enforcement? These are all legitimate questions — Questions that need answers.
As citizens, we must acknowledge that arson is not a victimless crime. And although there are current members of the Sheriff’s Office that have been trained in Arson Investigation, poor priority management by the current administration has resulted in an embarrassment to our county and has resulted in life, property, and financial and response assets being placed at considerable risk.
As your Sheriff, I will utilize existing personnel resources and seek additional training and equipment acquisition opportunities to revolutionize the way our county seeks to prevent, investigate, and prosecute arson. I will encourage participation of our local media outlets in the development of public service announcement (PSA) initiatives that focus on arson prevention, and will endeavour to enlist the support of local businesses in the development of a Darlington County Arson Hotline and Reward Program — the end goal being reduced insurance liability rates for the county’s businesses and residents, along with swift justice for offenders.
The County’s Most Notorious Killer
‘Homicide,’ you say? No. Unfortunately, Darlington County’s largest unnatural loss of life results from traffic accidents. Ranking 10th in the state, Darlington County residents are more likely to be killed in a traffic accident as opposed to being a homicide victim by a margin of almost 2 to 1.
The problem is that under the current administration county law enforcement officers are not equipped, nor are they specifically tasked, to carry out traffic safety enforcement. That role is primarily the responsibility of City Police Departments, unfairly burdening them as sole enforcers of traffic safety. And given that the county consists mainly of rural areas outside the jurisdiction of City agencies, large portions of the county have become ‘free zones’ for violators.
This is another illustration of the disconnect that has become increasingly problematic regarding law enforcement in Darlington County. Each agency seems to be own its own, with no uniting authority and no leadership towards accomplishing common, county-wide goals. And while each agency should maintain autonomy, a clear case can be made for cooperation when it means helping to reduce traffic-related loss of life.
The responsibility to protect county residents, as well as the many visitors we receive each year, rests squarely on the shoulders of the Sheriff. I take that responsibility very seriously, and will initiate several actions regarding traffic safety and enforcement. Most importantly, I will promote cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office and each City Police Department in helping to enforce traffic safety within our county. Next, I will exhaust every state and national avenue for funding the acquisition and installation of traffic enforcement and road safety devices in Sheriff’s Office vehicles and on the county’s road system without burdening the local budget. Finally, when the newly implemented enforcement activities begin generating data, I will use that data to effectively allocate resources where they are needed most to protect the safety of Darlington County road users.
Issues Summary
The issues you have learned about here are just some of the initiatives I will implement upon election as your Sheriff. However, I realize that this list is not exhaustive, and that there are many other issues that may be near and dear to your heart.
Please contact me to personally discuss your concerns for the future law enforcement efforts in Darlington County, or invite me to speak at your function so that I may address multiple issues and field your questions in a group setting.
