Crime prevention being emphasized

AIKEN --- Aiken Public Safety has taken a more aggressive approach to crime by creating a new position.

Sgt. Aaron Dowdy, who has been in the department for 12 years, has been named crime prevention officer.

"I've been here since 1996, and most of that time has been spent on patrol," said Sgt. Dowdy, one of the early applicants for the crime-prevention post. "But this was an opportunity that was new, and I thought I could do a good job at it."

Before beginning his career in public safety, the 35-year-old Aiken resident was a paramedic for four years.

Sgt. Dowdy's new position will require him to work closely with the community and civic organizations to educate people on what they can do to help prevent crime in their neighborhoods and businesses.

From 2005 to 2007, Aiken experienced an increase in serious crimes such as aggravated assaults. In 2005, there were 75 reported aggravated assaults. In 2007, that number had jumped to 119.

Sgt. Dowdy's duties will include analyzing crime statistics and reporting the information to department divisions, patrol shifts and the public, as well as working with the city's neighborhood services division and crime watch groups.

Sgt. Dowdy said he will conduct surveys of businesses and residents to determine if there are problems that make them easy targets.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com