Letter to the Editor: Projects should include a plan to reduce crime in Sumter

We received a flyer in the mail from the city asking us to vote for the penny tax this year. It listed all the projects that would be covered by the tax and most of them are really good. Example: New district and city fire engines, new ambulances, street paving, acquisition and removal of distressed structures. These and more are worth the penny tax and I have no problem with that.

What I have a problem with is that none of the things listed have anything to do with increasing the size of the police department or a plan to reduce crime in this city. No word on how we can make the streets safer.

Here is $8.1 million that could be directed to our police and highway safety:

The penny tax includes: $2.8 million for construction of pickleball courts

$3.8 million to build sidewalks (They don't care about the ones they've already built. The ones at my house are terrible; usually covered in grass)

$1.5 million to Mayesville to build a gathering space with covered seating, a dining area and an upscale farmers market (How many farmers markets do we need in Sumter?)

On a side note: $2.6 million for improvements to Dillon Park. The last time they made improvements by building a dog park, it was never maintained. There were never doggy bags and the lights in the ceiling fans were broken within a short period of time and the water fountains didn't work. It was said they couldn't afford to install cameras. With a penny tax they could.

Pickleball, a sidewalk and a farmers market will not control crime in this city. Give that $8.1 million to the police. Hire more police officers, update police equipment and fight crime. Then maybe we'll all feel safe enough to play pickleball or eat outside.

SANDRA SELLAR

Summer