They don't just kill themselves; they kill us.
By Warner M. Montgomery
Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

Sheriff Leon Lott

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told the Columbia Rotary Club Monday that gangs in our area are growing because the community is not fed up with what they are doing. He said people have been talking for 10 years but are taking very little action.

Lott praised the school districts for their cooperation with law enforcement. He said, "Students, teachers, and janitors are recognizing gang activities and telling the resource officers…We are stopping drugs and violence in the schools. Schools are now safe zones."

There is a growing danger of gang infiltration into the U.S. military according to Lott. He cited a case in Washington State where gang members joined the military to learn military tactics and weaponry. Two policemen were killed by a Marine who, as a member of a gang, was sent out to prove himself.

Four gang members, Marines from Parris Island, held recruitment meetings in Columbia, one at Columbia High School. Thanks to students who told the sheriff's deputy, the gang's next meeting at a church on Piney Woods Road was broken up by the sheriff. Two of the four Marines were expelled from the military, two were sent to Iraq.

Sheriff Lott, a veteran of 33 years in law enforcement, told the Rotarians that gangs use bulletproof vests, automatic weapons, military tactics, and are not afraid to attack police officers.

There are over 40 gangs in the Columbia area made up of all races, mostly ages 12 to 25. His advice for business leaders was to educate their employees, remove all graffiti quickly, and spread the word about our own domestic terrorists. "Parents and grandparents should talk about gangs with their children," said Lott. "Time and advice are your best weapons against this rising threat to our society."