Why Are Orangeburg Crime Stats so High? (Charleston, Sumter: spring break, crime rate)

[veganwriter]

I keep hearing about crime being so high in SC and particularly high in Orangeberg. At first I assumed the crime was high due to the seemingly high level of domestic abuse. (A topic all by itself...)

Then, I began hearing that no, it really is a violent area.

1. Is it because of too many young people?
2. All the "usual" stressors ... drugs, boredom, booze ...?

Perhaps this is a dumb question, but I thought it was a college town. So, perhaps there is a history of of "have / have-not's" that has attracted some kind of criminal Karma?

I mean, Summerton is 57% black with a huge Air Force Base, and a history of poverty and economic suppression, yet the word, "crime" doesn't come up as quickly when its name is mentioned.

So what's wrong with Orangeburg?

[meks]

Originally Posted by veganwriter

I keep hearing about crime being so high in SC and particularly high in Orangeberg. At first I assumed the crime was high due to the seemingly high level of domestic abuse. (A topic all by itself...)




Then, I began hearing that no, it really is a violent area.

1. Is it because of too many young people?
2. All the "usual" stressors ... drugs, boredom, booze ...?

Perhaps this is a dumb question, but I thought it was a college town. So, perhaps there is a history of of "have / have-not's" that has attracted some kind of criminal Karma?

I mean, Summerton is 57% black with a huge Air Force Base, and a history of poverty and economic suppression, yet the word, "crime" doesn't come up as quickly when its name is mentioned.

So what's wrong with Orangeburg?

1. terrible economy there, not many opportunities for the young
2. terrible schools there, giving even less opportunity to the young
3. right off of the interstate, no jobs = heavy drug trafficking
4. out of state gangs settling in there to take advantage of the bad economy, knowing that the young will look at drug trafficking as a means to the best living they have available even though it usually ends up as a death sentence in one form or another

[Geechie North]

It's SC:

Traditionally the most violent state in our nation.

Basic reason is ranking by criteria:

Anything you'd want to be first in, SC is either last, or dead last.

Anything you wouldn't want to score high in, SC excels.

[Mrs. P]

unfortunately remember our state's statistics also include the % of crime /s from Myrtle Beach...which is not necessarily reflective of SC residents, but rather other state residents down for a Holiday.
Spring break? Bike week? how many of them are actually from SC? not all of them.

[scjj]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

unfortunately remember our state's statistics also include the % of crime /s from Myrtle Beach...which is not necessarily reflective of SC residents, but rather other state residents down for a Holiday.
Spring break? Bike week? how many of them are actually from SC? not all of them.

Actually, a recent analysis has found that is not true. A majority of the crime in Myrtle Beach is done by the locals. Majority of crime rests on locals - Crime and Courts - Myrtle Beach Online (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/252/story/690288.html - broken link)

[elvislives]

Actually Sumter has the highest crime rate followed by N Charleston S.C