South Carolina has lots of cool things to see, like nice beaches and mountains, and it has a long history and interesting culture. However, some of its cities have a problem with a lot of violent crime, especially murders.
The most recent information from the FBI tells us that Greenwood, a city in South Carolina, has the highest rate of murders per person. Why is Greenwood so unsafe, and what can be done to make it less dangerous?
Here, we’ll look at the reasons why Greenwood has a high murder rate, how violence affects the community, and what could be done to make the city safer.
About Greenwood
In 2023, Greenwood was named the city with the most murders per person in South Carolina, with 85.6 murders for every 100,000 people.
North Charleston had the highest overall number of murders in the state, with 35. Walterboro had the highest murder rate, at 94.3 per 100,000 people, but it ranked fourth in the list of murder capitals due to its small population of 5,303.
Greenwood’s Comparison With Other Cities in South Carolina
Greenwood, a city in Greenwood County, South Carolina, has about 22,221 people. Unfortunately, it has a higher crime rate than many other cities in the state, especially when it comes to property crimes.
According to NeighborhoodScout, Greenwood is ranked as the 8th most dangerous city in South Carolina, with a crime rate of 57.06 per 1,000 residents.
The likelihood of experiencing a violent crime in Greenwood is 1 in 84, and for property crimes, it’s 1 in 22.
In terms of income and poverty, Greenwood falls below the state averages. The median household income is $32,635, and the poverty rate is 28.3%, while the state averages are $52,306 and 15.4%, respectively.
Despite these challenges, Greenwood does have some positive aspects. It boasts attractions like the Greenwood Museum, the Greenwood Community Theatre, Lake Greenwood State Park, and the Festival of Flowers.
Additionally, the cost of living in Greenwood is lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 78.6 (compared to 100 for the U.S.).
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Murder Capital of Tennessee
Officials’ Initiatives to Fight Crime in South Carolina
Officials in South Carolina are taking steps to fight crimes, including:
1. In November 2020, U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., shared that over $4.5 million in grants from the Department of Justice were given to address and prevent violent crime in the District of South Carolina. This funding was part of a larger $458 million initiative supporting law enforcement efforts nationwide to combat violent crime.
2. In 2020, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) released the Crime in South Carolina report, offering statistics and analysis on crime trends in the state. The report also highlighted SLED’s and other agencies’ efforts to improve data quality, enhance training, and encourage collaboration among law enforcement and criminal justice partners.
3. In February 2023, a bill proposing a hate crime law in South Carolina was reintroduced in the state legislature. If passed, the law would enable stricter punishments for those committing violent crimes driven by factors such as race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability. South Carolina is one of only three states in the U.S. without a hate crime law.
Read More: This Michigan City Has Been Named the Drug Overdoses Capital of the State
To Conclude
Greenwood has a serious problem with a high number of murders, and it’s important to do something about it. Poverty and a weak justice system contribute to this issue, overshadowing the town’s charm.
To make things better, we need to invest in communities, improve policing, and empower residents. Although there are challenges, a safer future for Greenwood is possible if we take these essential steps.
