Mayor Riley calls on community to assist in new crime initiative

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A new crime initiative presented today by Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. seeks to get the community involved in taking a stand against criminal activity.

Mayor Riley and Chief Greg Mullen of the Charleston Police Department held a press conference Friday at 2 p.m. at the police department to announce the Stand Up Charleston Initiative. The new crime fighting plan comes after three recent murders in the city of Charleston, two of which are unsolved.

The mayor said that victimization will not be tolerated, and that Stand Up Charleston is designed to get more citizens to not only care about on-going crime, but to no longer be a bystander and instead stand up for Charleston. Margaret Seidler was named chairman of the new crime initiative.

Chief Mullen said he is confident there are people out there with information on recent Charleston County murders, including the murder of 17-year-old Marley Lyon and William Nelson III, and encouraged them to come forward.

"It's critical people in this community care about the community," said Chief Mullen."Don't criticize and second guess us. Stand with us."

Community leaders in charge of Stand Up Charleston say a phone hotline will be setup as early as next week to allow people to get involved in the program.

Mayor Riley also announced a new bill is on its way to Governor Nikki Haley's desk that will make changes to the bond process.

Senate Bill 45 will allow a magistrate to consider a person's criminal record and pending charges when setting bond, according to Mayor Riley. He says the bill will also make it likely that bail will be rejected for repeat violent offenders.

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