Orangeburg Sheriff Enriches Kids

The idea is to get kids involved in activities like basketball to keep them away from drugs, alcohol, and crime.

Sheriff Larry Williams say the county has started to see a reduction in crime and he attributes that to getting more involved in the community.

"So looking at the entire puzzle, we've now stepped into an area where we need to do more of a proactive approach to law enforcement than reactive. That's going to be my third term, successive story," said Williams.

He says he hopes the program keeps the youth out of jail and on the right path, but law enforcement can't do it alone. Williams says parents need to be active in their child's lives and be good influences.

Mellie Evans went with her niece, Brittney Austin, Saturday. She says it's a great way for the kids to become friends with deputies and not look at them as enemies.

"I think it's a good relationship. It's a whole lot going on, but you take it one day at a time," said Evans.

Williams say he was happy about the turn out and hopes to expand the program to all communities within the county.