Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today in a press conference that Richland County Sheriff’s Department received the “Criminal Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault First Responder Program" grant from the S.T.O.P.  Violence Against Women Act Program administered by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (S.T.O.P. = services, training, officers, prosecutors which is a federal program administered by SCDPS).

Sheriff Lott stated that one of his primary goals twelve years ago was to improve the support given to victims of crime. The Sheriff stated that if a crime occurs we must make it a primary concern to find those responsible and prosecute the criminal to the fullest extent of the law -- most importantly we must have a support network set up for the victims. The network he has developed is made up of Sister-Care, counselors, pastors, uniform deputies who respond to the initial call and our Victim’s Services Unit who assist the victims through the healing and court processes. Sheriff Lott stated that our deputies must have the equipment necessary to document the crime and to present the evidence in court -- this grant will help in this continued effort.

Sheriff Lott stated that the grant will provide the department with one hundred fifty digital cameras, a computer server, seven computer printers, and thirteen forensic light sources (which exposes old or new bruises on the skin); all of which will be utilized to improve prosecution of criminals and provide services to victims. The grant, which was awarded in October 2007, totaled $70,522. 

April 18, 2008