News Summary
The city of Florence is experiencing a serious shortage of police officers, leading to community concerns regarding public safety. During a recent city council meeting, resident Pam Osbourne underscored the impact of this issue, emphasizing the hard work of existing officers. The Florence Police Department currently has 14 fewer officers than it requires, prompting the Chief to enhance recruitment strategies and increase the use of technology for city safety. Meanwhile, officers are facing demands as investigations continue into various public safety incidents.
Florence is currently facing a significant shortage of police officers, creating concern within the community about public safety. During a recent city council meeting, community member Pam Osbourne highlighted the issue, praising the hard work of the police while expressing her worries about the insufficient number of officers available to serve and protect the community. Osbourne, who has family members in the police force, stressed the importance of supporting officers amid growing negative perceptions of police work.
According to Police Chief Allen Heidler, the Florence Police Department is presently down 14 officers out of a total workforce of 95, which is reflective of a broader national trend affecting law enforcement agencies across the United States. To address this shortage, the department is intensifying recruiting efforts and looking for innovative solutions, including the adoption of technology to enhance city safety.
The department has implemented Flock surveillance cameras and drones, which have proven effective in solving crimes. Chief Heidler announced plans to increase the number of Flock cameras from 30 to 66, with the additional cameras strategically placed throughout Florence. These advancements are part of a five-point crime reduction plan established by Mayor Lethonia “Peaches” Barnes and the city council to improve community safety and response times.
As part of the effort to attract new recruits, Florence officers are offered competitive starting salaries of approximately $45,823 per year, which increases to $50,520 upon completion of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Additionally, new recruits can receive a sign-on bonus of $1,500. Recent changes to department policies allowing for more personal expression—including relaxed standards regarding facial hair and tattoos—are intended to make the profession more appealing.
While addressing the officer shortage, the department is also responding to public safety incidents. Recently, Florence Police were involved in an investigation concerning a drive-by shooting that occurred at the intersection of Sumter and Chase streets. The incident transpired around 11:02 a.m., and fortunately, no injuries were reported. Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
In a separate but concerning case, law enforcement responded to a medical emergency involving 58-year-old Jeffery Leibowitz, who was bitten by an island taipan, one of the most venomous snakes in the world. The incident occurred at Leibowitz’s home on West Marion and Harrell Street last Friday morning. Though his health is reportedly improving, safety concerns arose following the incident, leading to the humane euthanization of all snakes in Leibowitz’s possession due to secure containment issues. Attempts to relocate the snakes to zoos or sanctuaries were unsuccessful, given the potential threat they posed.
In conclusion, the Florence community grapples with a critical shortage of police officers amid efforts to enhance public safety through new technological solutions and improved recruitment strategies. City leaders are focused on bolstering the department’s staff while addressing public safety incidents to ensure the well-being of all residents.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Officer Shortage in Florence
- Wikipedia: Police Officer
- SC Now: Florence Police Investigate Shooting
- Google Search: Florence Police
- ABC News 4: Man Bitten by Venomous Snake
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
- Link NKY: Disturbing Trend Among Kids in Florence
- Google News: Florence Community
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
