CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The Conway Police Department created a new division called the Street Crimes Unit to address specific concerns from people living in the community.
Chief Dale Long with the Conway Police Department said when he first took his position, he went out to the community to talk to people and figure out what problems people were facing each day. He said two of the biggest problems people saw were speeding in neighborhoods and drug dealing.
“Surrounding the street-level drug sales is all the other crimes we have like the loitering, panhandling, shoplifting, petty theft,” said Chief Dale Long. “As I did these surveys and walked and talked in different neighborhoods, we knew it was something we needed to address, and that’s why the street crimes was formed.”
The street crimes officers have been on the job for more than a week, so WBTW rode with them on some of their patrol duties to get a better idea of how they are working to respond to community problems.
The patrol officers, who cannot be identified, said they’ve already been able to help get criminals off the streets and make the neighborhoods safer. “Three major felony drug cases were made,” said one of the officers. “One of which has a mandatory sentence of at least 40 years, and those were all driven from community-based complaints about specific areas and specific activities going on in these areas.” They said people have been able to point out specific houses and street corners with increased crime.
The officers have been on the job now for a little more than one week. Chief Long said they need the community to keep talking with officers when they have problems because that’s how the street crimes officers are notified, and that’s how they can tackle your concerns.
