Sheriff briefs council on Indian Land crime trends, grant expirations and fleet needs; asks council to consider staffing and equipment

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office told council that demand for patrol coverage is growing most rapidly in the Indian Land area, driven by commercial development and new residential complexes.

Maj. Shower, presenting for the sheriff, said District 1 (Indian Land) saw violent‑crime and property‑crime increases in 2024, and calls for service were up about 20% in early 2025. The sheriff’s packet included turnover and staffing comparisons showing Lancaster County has fewer officers per capita than peer counties and spends less per resident on law enforcement. The office requested four additional patrol deputies for Indian Land (all‑in cost shown at about $472,000), two violent‑crime investigators whose grant funding expires in October, and vehicles to replace aging unit stock. The sheriff also asked for funding to add Flock license‑plate cameras, noting the cameras have been helpful in solving crime and that the department already uses 19 cameras and would like five more.

Why it matters: Indian Land’s growth — new retail anchors and apartment complexes — increases service demand. Sheriff staff argued additional deputies will not only serve Indian Land but will also reduce the need to pull coverage from other parts of the county.

Council reaction: Councilors praised the sheriff’s office work and urged that public safety be prioritized. Several members raised the cameras’ cost but noted their effectiveness; the sheriff said the department’s trial of cameras reduced shoplifting at locations where they were deployed.

Ending: The sheriff will work with the county on vehicle replacement schedules and funding and the county will include personnel and capital requests in the budget deliberations. The two violent‑crime investigator positions will be discussed once grant funding expiration and options are clarified.