Greenville Safe Neighborhoods Launches, South Carolina 2023

Columbia, South Carolina – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with the Greenville Police Department, along with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and New Mind Health and Care, Inc., in a local, state, and federal violence reduction initiative, a collaboration dubbed, “Greenville Safe Neighborhoods.”

The first meeting with the stakeholders, partners, as well as the first eight participating individuals, all of whom are currently on state probation, was held on Monday evening (March 27). The Greenville Safe Neighborhoods initiative identifies participants based upon their present and past criminal conduct.

Participants attend a meeting with local, state and federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors as well as with service providers, family and affected community members. In the meeting, participants have meaningful access to a host of services or contacts to help them address physical or psychological needs.

GPD Chief Ken Miller, who anchored the first meeting on Monday evening, brought the program’s core partners together to make this initiative a reality. “The Greenville Police Department is committed to working with our community and our program participants and stakeholders to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves as a partner in similar iterations across the state, to include Aiken Safe Communities, Hartsville Safe Communities, Ceasefire Columbia, and most recently, Home Front–the focused-deterrence model focusing on domestic violence in Spartanburg County.

During the meeting, the participants observed the unified commitment to this effort between law enforcement and the community. The goal the stakeholders hope to achieve is engaging a participant to address his or her needs, make meaningful strides, and avoid re-offending, thereby making the Greenville community safer.

Solicitor Walt Wilkins has dedicated prosecutors to this effort and will be working closely with federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We are excited about this partnership and the promise that Greenville Safe Neighborhoods holds for effective communication between the community and local, state, and federal law enforcement.”

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake thanked Chief Miller, Solicitor Wilkins, and the other agencies for their leadership and for bringing the stakeholders together. “These young South Carolinians have some important choices to make in terms of changing their path in life. The resources and community commitment are there.”

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2105

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