Bishopville, Lynchburg police report calm August

Randy Burns / The Item Bishopville Police Chief John Ewing makes a point before Wednesday's Crime Stoppers meeting in Lee County.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE – More than 20 people attending Wednesday's meeting of the Lee County Crime Stoppers heard encouraging reports from the Bishopville and Lynchburg police departments.

Burglaries and robberies are down in Bishopville since the city conducted a month-long drug investigation in May, said Police Chief John Ewing.

"We made several arrests then," Ewing said. "We're getting drugs off the street. I think that's making a difference in reducing crime overall in Bishopville."

In August, the city had no reports of robbery, two burglary incidents and two aggravated assaults, Ewing said.

Even so, he hesitated about being "too positive."

"It's considered a jinx in law enforcement to brag too much," he said.

Sgt. Rick Williams of the Lynchburg Police Department said August was a quiet month in Lynchburg as well.

"We had one motorcycle stolen and several four-wheelers taken," Williams said. "We're working with the Lee County Sheriff's Office on these cases."

Ewing, who has been police chief in Bishopville since June 2007, said he thinks the city has benefited from an increased police presence.

Randy Burns / The Item Sgt. Rick Williams of Lynchburg Police Department provided a report at Wednesday's meeting of the Lee County Crime Stoppers.

"Our officers are on the streets and in the neighborhoods," Ewing said. "We are being proactive. We are not sitting at a desk waiting for phone calls."

The number of police calls received by the department has more than quadrupled from 1,576 in 2005 to 6,907 in 2008.

"And so far in 2009, we have 4,498 calls reported," he said.

Calls include reports filed by officers in response to incidents they find during patrol, Ewing said.

"A lot of these calls are because our officers are active," Ewing said. "Our officers are very, very active. If you see them on the street and they're doing a good job, pat them on the back. If they're not, call me and let me know. You know, our job is very, very dangerous. Our officers are putting their lives on the line."

The public is welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which take place at 8 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the old Bishopville fire station on East Council Street.