ORANGEBURG, S.C. — To improve relationships with the community, Orangeburg Public Safety Department’s Chief Charles Austin once again hosted his monthly "Chat with Chief."
This month, the department focused on seniors.
Seniors in Orangeburg took this opportunity to gather at the department's headquarters for food trucks and bingo and speak about their community concerns.
Chief Austin says his department is doing a lot to help seniors in the community.
“We have started a welfare check program with them," said Austin. "And we’ll be working with the council on aging to assist with delivering food and checking on them as they have other needs do what we can to help provide them with those needs.”
Joyce O’Connor, who lives in Orangeburg, hopes more resources and activities will be created in the future.
“We need more resources at the Council on Aging," said O'Connor. "We’re in an old building we’re supposed to be moving and during the summer months its very hot and a lot of the seniors won't come because of that reason and there's nothing to do in Orangeburg so I enjoy going out to the senior center but it’s a hot place to be and I think if we had more resources we could get more help.”
County Councilwoman Deloris Frazier says seniors in the community are worried about their safety.
“For the police department to build a relationship with the community is a top priority for any and everybody we have folks breaking into peoples housing ripping the seniors off so they need to get involved and stuff," said Frazier. "And a whole lot of them think well you go ahead and do it, its not my problem right now. Until it happens to me you know so everyone needs to get involved with the police department.”
Sylvia Ellis lives in Orangeburg. She says the Department of Public Safety always shows up whenever she needs them.
“I think the public safety is doing well with the crimes around Orangeburg especially for the seniors because you know some of the senior areas they target, you will see them driving past," said Ellis. "I know that if I call them and I see something out of the whack, I call them and they come right quickly and ask you what's going on just to see what your problem is so I think they're doing a good job.”
The Department of Public Safety hopes to host additional "Chat with the Chief" meetings in the upcoming months.