Aiken leaders hold community meeting to discuss Crosland Park properties

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018

News 12 at 11

AIKEN COUNTY, SC (WRDW/WAGT) -- Gary Yount says he's seen his community change over time.

"I've lived in Crosland Park for....twenty two years," he said.

There have been ups and downs but he knows one thing has always been true.

"We know we're not a perfect neighborhood. But we're not a terrible neighborhood," said Gary Yount, President, Crosland Park Neighborhood Association.

And he thinks they can do better.

That's why he and neighborhood association in Crosland Park invited community leaders to spend some time here.

"The abandoned houses and such we'd like to see those cleaned up," Mr. Yount said.

The big issues are run down homes and crime in the neighborhood that scares some into silence.

"I understand that some folks feel scared to call law enforcement when something is going on because they don't want to get involved with it," said Chief Barranco.

Chief Charles Barranco with DPS says, even so, they need help.

"We have a huge responsibility in keeping people safe--but we can't do it by ourselves," he said

Right now, DPS is finally fully staffed and in the process of assigning beat officers specifically to this community. They hope it will make it easier for people to come forward.

"The community knows who's supposed to be here and who's not supposed to be here who looks suspicious to them," said Chief Charles Barranco, DPS.

"If you see something say something. It's that simple," Yount said.

Calls to DPS for help are actually down over the past year but both Barranco and Yount say that's only a start.

"It's a high focus on community policing and ‘community’ is the first thing you hear in that," said Chief Barranco.

Gary Yount implores people in the community to get involved. "You can get involved you should get involved. We need you."

Mayor Rick Osbon was there too he says the city is looking to enforce building codes to deal with the dilapidated homes issue. So if you don't clean up your yard or home in a timely manner you could face fines.