Officers First Day on the Job Brings Peace of Mind for Park Patrons

Aiken County, SC—For Community Service Officer Porter Smith, his first day is a busy one: Saturdays at the Odell Weeks Center mean full swing sets….and noisy gyms.

Porter Smith, Aiken Community Service Officer: “So far, I’ve been checking the gyms, walking around the Weeks Center, riding through the parking lots, and I just got done over at Citizens Park.“
   
Smith was just hired by Aiken Public Safety. He and another Community Service Officer will be the Department’s eyes and ears here.

Just three months ago, security cameras captured a shooting in the gym…parents voiced concern:

Carl Johnson, Aiken, SC: “They didn’t want me to come up here for like a week after it happened. They kept me home”
   
As the Summer went on, someone found a gun inside the center….then came a rash of car break-ins.
   
Patrons said the Center needed metal detectors and a way to keep better tabs on who was inside.

Park patron: “You need a card or something, something needs to be done.”
   
City council members heard the community’s concerns, and set aside money to hire two people who would patrol Aiken parks.

Chief Pete Frommer, Aiken Public Safety: “Of course, as the headlines have been the last few months, you know, there’s been extra trouble there, but these guys will be assigned to all the facilities, we want to make sure our recreation sights are safe, and that people don’t have fears about coming to them.“
   
And even though it’s his first day, people are already noticing the changes.

Porter: “A lot of people expressed positive views towards us; they say they’re happy to see us out here.“

In addition to the two new officers, Parks and Recreation officials say they will be installing an ID system, and extra cameras in the building. Those changes should be coming this fall.