SOUTH CONGAREE COMBATING DRUGS

South Congaree police have increased traffic stops and patrols to crack
down on drug crime. Mayor Johnny White, who has been in office since
January, said he's taking drug crime seriously.

"We're picking up some more cases, and we want to be able to combat that,"
he said. "I don't like our young people exposed to that."

Police chief Jamie Lucas said drug arrests in South Congaree are primarily
for marijuana possession. However, officers have arrested individuals for
heroine and crack possession over the past few months, Lucas said.

"The whole thing has opened my eyes," White said. "People are freely
hauling around cocaine. We're finding some of that more than we used to
marijuana."

The problem mainly centers on people who drive through the town on S.C.
302, not those who live there, Lucas said.

Lucas said drug activity isn't necessarily increasing, but that the town is
taking greater action against drug crimes since he took office in April.

In order to step up patrolling, Lucas has increased the size of the police
department by three officers.

There are now five full-timers and five reserve officers, part-time
volunteers who have the same training and power as regular officers.

The town also is applying for a state grant to get a full-time narcotics
officer.

The town also has been strengthening and creating new policies concerning
drug arrests, police responsibilities, alcohol possession and reckless driving.

In October, the town made it a crime to resist arrest or possess drug
paraphernalia. A person suspected of either crime now must plead his or her
case in the town's municipal court.

In the past, the town would defer the enforcement of such crimes to General
Sessions Court, where they are often dropped or pleaded down.

At December's regular meeting, council approved the following policies:

* Random drug testing of law enforcement officers.

* Town employees are now barred from possessing alcohol, non-prescribed
controlled drugs or marijuana at town workplaces.

* Careless driving in town is now a crime.

The town previously had either no or limited rules concerning the above
policies.