Press Release                                                                           

Date: November 1, 2021

Contact: Karen Potter, kpotter2@tctc.edu

Community Forum with Law Enforcement to be held November 15

Anderson, SC – A community forum for Anderson County residents and law enforcement officials will take place Monday, November 15, 5:30-7 p.m., at Tri-County Technical College’s Anderson campus located at 511 Michelin Boulevard. The forum is an outgrowth of Ten at the Top’s Creating a Safer Upstate initiative, which seeks to provide opportunities for law enforcement and the community to convene to discuss community issues and emerging law enforcement topics.

The Anderson forum is the first in a series of community forums being planned across the 10-county Upstate region. 

The forum will begin with remarks from Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts, who serves as Ten at the Top chairman. Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart will provide an overview of the topics to be discussed, which include police training and credentials, recruiting and retention of law enforcement, community engagement, policing policies, and neighborhood safety concerns. Attendees will engage in small group discussion, and the forum will conclude with summary reports from the small groups and a review of next steps.

“Anderson was chosen as the site for the first forum because the city of Anderson has been a leader in creating dialogue to spur action in this arena,” said Mayor Roberts. “We have shown that, by listening to each other and seeking shared solutions, we can continue to create a safer, more united community.”

In 2014, Anderson City Council member Dr. Beatrice Thompson worked with Chief Stewart to form a grassroots task force with a stated goal of strengthening and enriching relationships between law enforcement and the community. This group, which became known as “The Dream Team,” has held educational events and visited schools and churches in an effort to reach thousands of people throughout the community and nurture positive relationships. Their ongoing efforts have led to a number of productive outcomes ranging from a reduction in crime and greater transparency to more partnerships with the public and private sector.  

“The Dream Team has been recognized as a model in our region and beyond, but there is more work to be done on a broader scale,” said Chief Stewart. “I am pleased that organizations like Ten at the Top and Tri-County Technical College are engaging with communities and law enforcement in similar efforts across the entire Upstate region.”

The November 15 community forum is open to all Anderson County residents. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is not required but is highly encouraged. To register, visit tctc.edu/forum.

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About Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.

 

About Ten at the Top

Comprised of public, private, and civic leaders across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to build regional trust and consensus through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to encourage quality growth and enhance the economic vitality, natural and cultural resources and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. To learn more, visit tenatthetop.org.