Thread: S.C. 300 guns seized in 60 days, says RCSD sheriff, Columbia police

Nearly 300 guns seized in 60 days, says RCSD sheriff, Columbia police chief

July 5, 2018
Karamie Sullivan

Lott and Holbrook addressing the arrests made over 60 day initiative. Karamie Sullivan photos.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook held a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide a final update on their 60-day initiative.

The two departments have worked together over the past two months by heavily focusing on reducing gun violence, and taking specific criminals off the street in the Columbia area.

Lott began by addressing two different boards beside him. The board to his left showed 17 pictures of people who have been arrested over the 60 day period.

“Just about everyone of these here are tied in with some type of gang activity,” he said. “These are individuals that are involved in multiple crimes.” The board to his right showed pictures of four males who had been killed due to gun violence, also within the initiative period. He said he did not want their deaths to be seen simply as a statistic. “These are real people, with families who are in real pain,” said Lott. He mentioned there have been six gun-related deaths in Richland County during the 60 days.

Lott said in total, there have been 202 guns seized by Richland County deputies through the initiative.

In addition to that number, Holbrook’s Columbia officers have seized 96 guns in the same time frame.

“It’s not something we just created to make people feel good, this was something that we’ve wanted to work, and something we were very serious about,” said Lott.

Holbrook and Lott have considered the efforts from both departments a success in reducing the amount of illegal guns on the street. Lott said they are going to be continuing the initiative, past the 60 day mark, to add onto their already high numbers of gun seizures and arrests. “We’re going to continue this initiative, at least though mid-August once the kids go back to school,” Lott said. “We still have a lot of guns out there.”

Some of the men and women who helped during the past 60 days were in the room with Lott and Holbrook. Both of them acknowledged the amount of diligence their employees have put into seizing the guns, and making the arrests. “If you’re involved in a shooting, we’re going to come get you,” said Lott.

https://www.coladaily.com/2018/07/05...-police-chief/

LAPD, ATF seize 45 guns, arrest 10 gang members who made them

Good job, Columbia, SC!! These gangs are a menace, and they've always been, shut 'em down.