Sumter's residents to blame for city's high rate of crime

I hope everyone in Sumter takes time to read the blotter section in the Saturday, Oct. 31, issue of The Item.

In 25 separate crimes on FRIDAY ALONE, $54,497 worth of property was stolen in Sumter.

While many writers continue to blame Patty Patterson for this, I think many residents, fathers, mothers, neighbors, etc. are to blame also.

Just read the blotter.

Did your son just come home with a laptop computer he "FOUND?"

Does your neighbor suddenly have a Honda generator for sale?

Did your husband go out last night and come home with two flat screen TV sets?

Did you buy two Dell laptops from someone for $200 and then spend the day looking at pics of the victim's family?

Did you ask your 16-year-old son where he got two four wheelers?

Did you go to Columbia with your boyfriend to pawn two shotguns and three hand guns that "a friend gave him?"

I would probably be estimating low when I say that a total of 300 people in Sumter know who committed these 25 crimes on Friday.

If the people in Sumter continue to turn a blind eye to all this, it will get much worse. The reason crime is so bad in Sumter is YOU, not Patty.

People do not give away 4 wheelers.

People do not "find" flat screen TV sets.

$3000 Honda generators are not "left somewhere."

If you share in the rewards of this Friday night shopping spree, you are also a thief.

THOMAS BLALOCK
Former Sumter resident
White Oak, N.C.