In an effort to strengthen the Lancaster Police Department’s fight against increasing gang activity and shooting-related crimes, Lancaster City Council voted unanimously March 12 for the department to apply for a $225,000 grant to fund a gang investigator.
The amount will augment personnel costs, uniforms, undercover vehicle upfitting, weapons, Kevlar vest, travel and training and a high-tech cellular extraction device.
The federally funded grant is managed by the S.C. Department of Public Safety. If awarded, the city will be required to pay a 10% match.
Police Chief Don Roper informed council of recent crime statistics. In 2022, there were 33 “shots fired” calls. In 2023, there were 60. This year so far, there have been nearly 30. If the trend continues, 2024 will have over 100 “shots fired” calls. Roper said most of these calls involve gang activity.
LPD bonuses
All employees of the Lancaster City Police Department will receive a $500 bonus, thanks to a gift from Nutramax Laboratories.
Athena Ciulla, government and community relations manager for Nutramax, expressed the company’s gratitude to the 57 employees of the police department at the March 12 City Council meeting.
“We know that you and your staff always go above and beyond the call of duty to help the citizens of the City of Lancaster, as well as keep us safe,” she said.
Council unanimously approved the resolution to accept the gift. All members were present except council member Hazel Taylor.
