Police, deputies join to keep summer safe for youth

By Jamie Rogers

Morning News Reporter
Published: June 18, 2009


Florence police and county sheriff’s deputies have combined forces to start a special initiative, Operation Safe Summer, to keep young residents safe this season.

Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said news of the collaboration has been received well by residents so far.

“I think they were pleased,” he said. “What we are trying to do is basically double our efforts.”

And the only way that can be done is through a synergic relationship, said Florence County Sheriffs Kenney Boone.

The agencies have been fighting crime together for years, Boone said. But the two leaders made it official on Monday when they signed a special contract that will allow certain law enforcement officers to work with more than one agency for up to one year. The agreement applies to the combined drug unit, the gang task force and the community action unit.

Drug enforcement is especially important in the effort to keep children safe all year round, Shells said.

“The summer tends to bring an increase in many types of crime. Both the sheriff and I know that,” he said. “One of those is drug crimes, and with it comes a whole host of other crimes.”

Both agencies have officers who specialize in gang intelligence. These officers will continue to work together, the chief and sheriff said, and gather information on gangs, since many young people become involved in illegal activity through street gangs.

“This is something that needs to continue,” Shells said. “We both have a lot to contribute and we are going to work to reduce the limitations as far as jurisdictions.

“Bad guys don’t know about jurisdictional lines, they just care about their drug territory.”

“We’ve all got to work together,” Boone said. “We are dealing with some of the same people, so it’s only appropriate that we work together.”

Boone said the agencies will be working to promote youth camps and organizations that aid in keeping youth out of trouble.

“We both have camps,” Boone said. “They have Camp Fever and a basketball camp, we have Camp Pee Dee Pride and an explorers program.”

Neighborhood watch organizations in the city and county are extremely important and will continue cooperating with both deputies and police, Shells said.

During the school year, school resource officers with both agencies will share ideas and information relating to students, Boone said

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