A Few Things Worth Knowing ************************************ How Many Kids Packin' Heat? Among white boys in grades 7-12 in Richland County, 17% say they've carried a gun or knife to school for self-defense. Among black boys, 13% say the same thing. Source: FreeTimes Magazine/S.C. Kids Count Dropout Rates The high school dropout rate among black & other minority males in Richland County is 37%. Black females & white males are about tied, at 23% and 22%, respectively. Source:FreeTimes Magazine/S.C. Kids Count Unsafe Streets Welcome to the friendly South....now make sure you're packing pepper spray! That's because Columbia is a dangerous place to be: In fact, the crime rate here is more than twice the national average, with about 9,000 crimes per 100,000 residents compared to 4,000 nationwide. In other words, you have a 1 in 10 chance of being a crime victim just by living in Columbia. Property crimes, aggravated assaults, rape - you name it, we've got it. To tell the city you want more cops on the street, call City Hall at 545-3000. For information on Crimestoppers, visit Crime Stoppers of the Midlands at www.midlandscrimestoppers.com or call 1-888-559-TIPS. To find about about Neighborhood Watch, call 1-888-669-4872 or visit www.nnwi.org. Source: FreeTimes Magazine/AreaConnect.com, citing 2004 FBI Data *************************************************************************** Now, are you ready to learn a little bit about GANGS? If you've been paying attention to local news recently, then you must be aware of recent gang activity in Richland & Lexington Counties. Click on the 'Gang Awareness' link to get the facts & learn a little about gang activity that could be taking place right outside your door.  |
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