Crime & Safety

Update: Lexington Gears Up For 'National Night Out'

Annual Event Spotlights Neighborhood Togetherness, Crime Prevention

UPDATE: Story contains list of 22 newly announced neighborhood events around Lexington County, at bottom of article.

Tonight, local law enforcement wants you to hit the streets -- so to speak.

Aug. 2 is National Night Out, an annual event that encourages citizens to stand up against crime. It's a time for neighborhoods to turn on their porch lights, go outside and meet their neighbors.

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"It promotes crime prevention, the prevention of drugs, strengthens neighborhood spirit and police/community relations" says officials of the Lexington Police Department. "It is also an opportunity for neighborhoods to let criminals know that they are organized to ensure the safety and security of their neighborhoods."

And the event doesn't have to be formal. In fact, fun is encouraged. Block parties and barbecues are just some of the social outlets suggested by the LPD and other law enforcement agencies. The LPD also will be available to participate at your function at your request to discuss crime prevention tips.

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If you'd like to host a National Night Out party in your neighborhood, contact the Lexington Police Department’s Community Action Team and ask to speak with a C.A.T. team member for their assistance with activities at 803-359-6260 or 803-358-1504.

Elsewhere in the county, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with other entities, will conduct a security exposition near Irmo for homeowners and business owners, as well as a community social in Batesburg-Leesville.

The sheriff’s department, in partnership with the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission, will conduct the security exposition between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the gymnasium at Seven Oaks Park, located at 200 Leisure Lane near Irmo, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said.

The event will provide homeowners and business owners with an opportunity to evaluate security services and products.

Crime Prevention Sgt. Tony Ayers will coordinate the security exposition, Metts said.

During the event, homeowners and business owners can obtain information about alarm systems for businesses, homes and motor vehicles, safes, dead-bolt locks, security cages for air-conditioning units, surveillance camera systems, and other security-related services and products.

Citizens and business owners who would like additional information about the security exposition can contact Ayers at (803) 785-9888 or email tayers@lcsd.sc.gov, Metts said.

Batesburg-Leesville Resident, Deputy Melissa Garner, will coordinate the participation of the sheriff’s department at the community social held between 6 and 9 p.m. at Leesville College Park, 423 College Street, Batesburg-Leesville, Metts said.

During the event, Batesburg-Leesville police officers will prepare fingerprint identification cards for children who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, Metts said. Officers also will offer to check whether child safety seats are properly installed in motor vehicles.

In yet another event, Harbour Watch Neighborhood Watch will conduct an ice cream social between 6 and 9 p.m. at the community clubhouse on Harbour Watch Boulevard near Batesburg-Leesville, Metts added.

The ice cream social will include static displays of the Sheriff’s Department Mobile Command Center, Lake Murray Marine Patrol and K-9 unit as well as South Carolina Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles, and a Lexington County Fire Service fire truck, said Harbour Watch Neighborhood Watch Chairman Dan Hennigan. The sheriff’s department helicopter also is scheduled to conduct a flyover at the event.

"Resident deputies urge additional neighborhood watch groups to participate in National Night Out in order to show criminals that citizens are vigilant in protecting their neighborhoods," Metts said. “Criminals always lose when citizens participate in neighborhood watch groups and become empowered to combat crime by being smart, being ready and being alert."

Metts said neighborhood watch groups also will conduct the following 22 events across Lexington County as part of National Night Out:

Murray Hill subdivision: Cookout on Cedar Circle

Oak Pointe subdivision: Block party on Crimson Oak Lane

Greenside subdivision: Drop-in for dessert on Greenside Drive

Windward Pointe subdivision: Cookout at beach common area

Gaston Civic Center: Cookout

Cannon Knoll subdivision: Nachos and ice cream social on Cannon Knoll Drive

Aberdeen Farms subdivision: Bicycle ride and back-to-school bash

Magnolia Ridge subdivision: Ice cream social on Blossom View Court

Rose Drive subdivision: Covered-dish dinner on Rose Drive

The Woods subdivision: Pool party and ice cream social

Hallmark subdivision: Watermelon social on Century Drive

Pine Glen subdivision: Watermelon social and picking up litter

Irmo Village subdivision: Social

Whitehall Extension subdivision: Social at Seven Oaks Park

Stratton Place subdivision: Hot dog social

Willow Winds subdivision: Hot dog social

The Rapids subdivision: Watermelon social at Rapids Road and Rolling Rock Road

Gardendale subdivision: Social at Seven Oaks Park

Woodland Hills subdivision: Social

St. Andrews Apartments: Social at clubhouse

Grayland Forest subdivision: Social

Helenwood Drive: Residents will turn on their porch lights


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