LANCASTER, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – One Lancaster business owner wants to go back to the basics after gun shots rang out just a block from her hair school.
After that scary moment, she is now teaming up with the Lancaster Police Department to create a Neighborhood Watch Program.
“I said to myself, those were gun shots”, says Melissa Jones Horton.
Melissa Jones Horton is describing when she heard about 10 gun shots outside of her business, Unique Hair Design The School on Meeting Street In Lancaster in late 2022.
“I’ve been here for almost 30 years and I’ve never heard gun shots before in my life”, says Horton.
Thankfully, police say no one was injured. For Horton, she says it was a wake up call to get to know the other business owners and residents on Meeting Street.
“We need to create a program, some type of watch”, says Horton.
And she did just that. She went door to door, inviting those on Meeting Street to be a part of a Community Watch Program so she knows who to call if there’s an emergency.
“Its all about connections. Being good neighbors. Looking out for each other”, says Chief Roper.
Chief of Police for Lancaster, Don Roper says Horton approached him with the idea and they’ve working together to make sure everyone on Meeting Street feels safe.
The next Community Watch Meeting will be at First Washington Church, Monday January 10th at 2 PM on Meeting Street.
The chief of Police and officers will be there.
Chief Roper adding if anyone else would like to create a program for their community, just reach out to the department at (803) 283-3313.
