November 4, 2002

Bruce K. Jackson says he was able to positively influence numerous youth while working as a security guard for Richland School District One the past nine years.

But as a newly hired Community Safety Officer with the City of Columbia, Jackson said he is grateful to be able to positively impact young and old alike.

"I meet the old, the young, retired people, and I still get a chance to work with kids," said Jackson, who was part of the first class of Community Safety Officers that the City of Columbia and the Columbia Police Department graduated on May 17, 2002.

Mayor Bob Coble said public safety is one of the most crucial services provided by the City of Columbia. He added that the City is dedicated to ensuring that citizens are safe.

"This program will have a significant impact on security in Columbia," Mayor Coble said. "Our neighborhood leaders requested an increased presence of law enforcement in the community and this initiative will accomplish that goal."

The Community Safety Officers program allows the City and the Police Department to achieve its commitment to Community Policing. Their presence will reduce the burden on police by allowing officers to concentrate on crime.

The CSO's duties include:

• Providing high visibility patrol efforts primarily on foot
• Directing motor vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic during special events
• Collecting incident reports involving minor incidents and violations
• Collecting fire planning information
• Aiding crime and fire prevention efforts by conducting property surveys when necessary
• Completing incident reports involving minor incidents and violations
• Responding to calls for service, in assigned areas, which require general reports
• Conducting fire hydrant maintenance and inspection

For Jackson, one of the nine officers who completed training, being a Community Safety Officer is a labor of love.

"Every time I get up in the morning, I feel great about going to work," Jackson said. "I try my best to get around and see everybody in the neighborhoods that I patrol."

The area Jackson has been designated to patrol includes Allen-Benedict Court, Heidt Street and Read Street. He said he has already seen the impact of his presence.

"I-ve seen about 15 percent more people sitting on their porches now than when I first started," he said. "Usually they just peek out the door and go back in. This includes a lot of elderly people."

CSO Yvonne McAdams has had similar experiences in the Elmwood Area, which is her designated community. "For the residents there, just seeing me is an asset," she said. "A lot of elderly people, if they don't see me they are asking -Where were you- or -I missed you."

McAdams said she has witnessed a decreased number of homeless people in the Elmwood Area since she has been walking the streets. "When they see me they know to slow it up," she said. "They know that I can call for help."

Ruth Martin, a 74-year-old Waverly Street resident, said Jackson's presence makes her feel safer when she sits on her porch. "I feel more comfortable," Martin said. "I-m glad to have him around. I hope that we will be able to have him around a lot."

Lauvenia Young, 86, another Waverly Street resident, agreed. "I feel that it's a positive thing that he his here because you-re sitting on your porch and can never tell; things happen," Young said. "I feel safer."

Giving residents a greater sense of security is one of many components of the CSO project, said Sgt. Randy Martin, who supervises the CSO's. "I think that it has made a positive impact on the community as far as you-ve got eyes and ears in the community, making contacts with the residents, they are doing elderly checks while it's hot, assisting with special events and much more," Martin said.

Martin added that six more CSO's are expected to hit the streets in July.

As a result of mounting local concerns about safety following September 11, the Columbia City Council earmarked $250,000 to fund the CSO project, which entailed hiring 15 Community Safety Officers.

"Overall, this is going to have a positive effect on the police effort in that our CSOs will allow our certified officers to concentrate on Part 1 Crime incidents (which include robbery, aggravated assault, murder, and rape) and focus more attention on neighborhoods that are experiencing on-going problems with Part 1 incidents, as well as crime activity involving street level drug distribution and street level prostitution," said Fire Assistant City Manager Charles P. Austin Sr. has said.

CSOs must have graduated from an accredited high school or possess a GED, be at least 17 years old, possess a valid South Carolina drivers license, pass a thorough background check, pass a drug test and medical exam, and be of good character and temperate in habits. They cannot have a prior criminal conviction.

The CSOs are receiving supervision from seasoned officers who make available to them the knowledge, skills, and abilities for a continued career in public safety, law enforcement or fire services. The CSOs will supplement police and fire manpower by taking on non-emergency duties and by serving as a hands-on liaison between the citizens of Columbia and city agencies. The CSOs will also assist with security at local parks.

CSOs will be staffed at two public utility areas such as the Columbia Water Treatment Plant and work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the pilot program, they will be assigned to the northern, metro and southern regions of the city.

The northern region spans from Calhoun Street north to Interstate 20, the metro region consists of the downtown area, and the southern region spans from Veterans Hospital to the Shandon area.