crime in sumter? (Columbia, South Sumter, Cherryvale: house, neighborhoods, calculation)

[sahmusaf]

I heard that crime and homelessness is really bad in Sumter. Can anyone elaborate? Thanks!

[sahmusaf]

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[Ceezer]

I touched on the crime aspect in the other thread. I've never seen any homeless around here.

[Rophlmao]

" heard that crime and homelessness is really bad in Sumter. Can anyone elaborate? Thanks!"

Stay out of the poor areas and out of the clubs. That isn't a problem to do.

Just never socialize with poor people (don't live in Cherryvale, for example) and stick with neighborhoods they can't afford to infest.

[swampwolf]

That post was in very poor taste, and misleading.

Just last week in Columbia we had a woman murdered by a stranger at an ATM machine in what is probably THE most upscale part of town. He apparently needed the money.

When I was teaching at the state juvenile prison I learned pretty quick that among our clients Sumter was highly over-represented for a town that size.

I've noticed this sort of thing as a pattern on this site. Remember that you're influencing people about where they and their children are thinking about living. It is only responsible to put the rose-colored glasses aside.

[Ceezer]

There is no tint to the fact that the FBI ranks Sumter as the 3rd most dangerous/violent metro in the US. I do my best to try and convince folks that Sumter (well, at least the areas around it) is a decent place to live with lots of potential, but there's no denying what's been proven.

[Woodlands]

Sumter indeed has some challenges for a city of it size when it comes to crime..One can only hope that it does not get worse because of the economy. The economy in Sumter is not robust.. we discussed in previous threads some of the reasons and thoughts on that issue.... there may not be alot of opportunities in Sumter compared to other cities and if it gets worse economically, one can only help but wonder what will happen in the City. I do not want to seem like a nervous grandmother.. but it does seem like crime is on the uptick here and other places at least from what I read in The Item. Do I think Sumter is extremely dangerous??No... most of the crime appears to be targeted..ie. domestic violence or similiar types of activities where the victim knows or is familiar with the attacker. If the trend bends towards a sharp rise in random attacks and other violence towards strangers.. then one may want to throw a flag.

[Ceezer]

I've noticed a trend lately in the increased presence of homeless in the Sumter public library, main branch. Today there were 3 of them in there sleeping in the chairs next to people trying to read, snoring loudly, reeking of alcohol, etc. One of them they had to get on because he was stumbling around and talking loudly. I thought they asked him to leave but a few minutes later I heard snoring, nearly all the way across the room, and when I went to see what was up (because this was behind rows of books/magazines) it was him again.

I realize they probably have few places to go, but this is a place I take my daughter to encourage her reading and for father/daughter bonding time. They make her uncomfortable, which is natural as they were making everyone uncomfortable, and that is going to ruin the experience for her and she'll stop wanting to go with me.

Besides that, I just don't want them in an environment where parents are bringing their kids in general (I wouldn't mind, but their inebriation and impaired judgment concerns me).

[Woodlands]

I wonder to what extent of homelessness is a problem in Sumter??? It may be easy to identify someone and label them as "homeless" because of how they present themselves... others may simply be down on their luck and/or living in poverty or suffer from mental illness and in a program where they can come and go as they please. Many folks may be looking for a place to just "be" or hang out and pass the time. I guess in larger cities its becomes more obvious who is homeless because many congregate in public spaces, squares, shelters or under bridges and they are there day and night and tote their belongings with them.. but in Sumter it seems less obvious since you may not see these individuals sleeping on park benches at night. I spoke with a fire official who mentioned how the number of house fires increase during the winter as people try to heat their homes particuliarly in the sections of our city that have older housing stock like South Sumter and the near Westside. Many of these cases may be homeless individuals who may be squatting in a vacant home others are those living in poverty and may not have power or heating fuel and utilize alternative methods of heating that end up causing fires. The OP mentioned homelessness and crime.. I am not sure if they were trying to draw a connection between the two or listing them as independent social issues. It does not appear to be a big connection ,in Sumter, but I guess that would depend on the type of crime committed..murder versus someone stealing a sandwich to eat.....

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

There is no tint to the fact that the FBI ranks Sumter as the 3rd most dangerous/violent metro in the US. I do my best to try and convince folks that Sumter (well, at least the areas around it) is a decent place to live with lots of potential, but there's no denying what's been proven.

LOL..I know what you mean... Those FBI reports are always interesting to read especially when they draw comparisons to other cities and make assertions that ex:"Sumter is equal to Compton, CA and Detroit, MI in the number of murders per capita".. Granted there is a rhyme and reason to their calculations and thus some truth.. but one would think that the Legion of Doom's Headquarters is located in Swan Lake with Lex Luthor ready for it to rise up and wreck havoc on the Gamecock City. But hey at least that would be one company with a headquarters here..