Drizzt
January 24, 2003, 05:43 PM
Chief suggests arms can keep businesses safe
BY TYRONE WALKER
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Some Folly Road business owners concerned about crime were taken aback Thursday night when Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg appeared to suggest that an effective crime deterrent would be for them to arm themselves.
Others nodded in agreement.
About two dozen frustrated James Island business owners met with Greenberg and several Charleston police officers and Charleston County sheriff's deputies to discuss protection against a rash of robberies and burglaries along a stretch of Folly Road.
Greenberg told them that robberies, burglaries and rapes are a fact of life for communities across the country.
"There is never going to be zero crime. We can only work to reduce those that happen," he said.
He said one particular downtown business in a high-crime area hasn't been held up in 20 years because the owner and employees, including the guy mopping the floor, are armed.
Mary Jane Keathley, meeting organizer and co-owner of a restaurant, asked Greenberg if he was joking. "Are you telling us we should arm ourselves?" she said.
"That's a decision you have to make for yourself," Greenberg said.
"I find that completely unacceptable," she said.
"I can't believe that's the only way," one man said.
"That's the kind of world you live in," Greenberg replied.
At least eight robberies and 15 break-ins have been reported along the heavily traveled 800 and 900 blocks of Folly Road in the past 12 months. Some business owners have called for more protection.
"This meeting is the first step," said Capt. H.T. Boatwright of the sheriff's office.
Keathley, who owns the Lighthouse Tea and Coffee Co. where the meeting was held, asked officers to talk about ways to prevent crime.
"I'm scared. My employees are scared," she said.
A carwash owner noted vandalism at his business.
"Whoever is doing this is not afraid of consequences," he said.
http://www.charleston.net/stories/012403/loc_24folly.shtml
BY TYRONE WALKER
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Some Folly Road business owners concerned about crime were taken aback Thursday night when Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg appeared to suggest that an effective crime deterrent would be for them to arm themselves.
Others nodded in agreement.
About two dozen frustrated James Island business owners met with Greenberg and several Charleston police officers and Charleston County sheriff's deputies to discuss protection against a rash of robberies and burglaries along a stretch of Folly Road.
Greenberg told them that robberies, burglaries and rapes are a fact of life for communities across the country.
"There is never going to be zero crime. We can only work to reduce those that happen," he said.
He said one particular downtown business in a high-crime area hasn't been held up in 20 years because the owner and employees, including the guy mopping the floor, are armed.
Mary Jane Keathley, meeting organizer and co-owner of a restaurant, asked Greenberg if he was joking. "Are you telling us we should arm ourselves?" she said.
"That's a decision you have to make for yourself," Greenberg said.
"I find that completely unacceptable," she said.
"I can't believe that's the only way," one man said.
"That's the kind of world you live in," Greenberg replied.
At least eight robberies and 15 break-ins have been reported along the heavily traveled 800 and 900 blocks of Folly Road in the past 12 months. Some business owners have called for more protection.
"This meeting is the first step," said Capt. H.T. Boatwright of the sheriff's office.
Keathley, who owns the Lighthouse Tea and Coffee Co. where the meeting was held, asked officers to talk about ways to prevent crime.
"I'm scared. My employees are scared," she said.
A carwash owner noted vandalism at his business.
"Whoever is doing this is not afraid of consequences," he said.
http://www.charleston.net/stories/012403/loc_24folly.shtml