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Orangeburg police report drops in overall and violent crime; youth activity and domestic violence remain concerns
Summary
Police reported a 7.25% overall crime decrease from 2023 to 2024, with violent crime down 21% and aggravated assault down 25%; officials said 30% of recorded assaults involved domestic violence and cited concern about criminal activity among 13–19-year-olds.
Chief Austin of the City of Orangeburg Department of Public Safety provided a crime update to council, reporting decreases in several major categories from 2023 to 2024 while identifying continuing concerns.
Chief Austin said, "First I wanna tell you that, this year from '23 to '24, we experienced a 7.25% decrease in the overall crime rate, in the city." He reported violent crime decreased by 21% and said the aggravated assault rate "dropped 25 percent." Chief Austin added that among recorded assaults, "we found that 30 percent of those involved domestic violence crimes."
The chief said the department remains concerned about criminal activity by young people ages 13 to 19 and described outreach and partnership efforts, noting the department's "Mentors Matters Grama" working with Serve and Connect and other stakeholders. He said the city intends to "concentrate on aggressively prosecuting those folk who are involved in criminal activity" and to pursue a "holistic approach" to address domestic violence, including resources for victims and interventions for perpetrators.
Property crime decreased by about 4% year-over-year, the chief said, and thefts from vehicles remained a significant challenge. He recalled a public-awareness campaign described in the meeting as "hide, lock, and take" aimed at reducing vehicle thefts and said the department plans to revisit prevention messaging.
Council members and members of the public asked questions about parental involvement, programs for youth and referrals to available services; Chief Austin said investigations include whether family members impede or assist and that the department refers families to available programs when possible.
