NORWAY, SC (WIS) -
"There were fights and shootings in our park," said Norway Mayor Jim Preacher. "Three or four times a week we'd get a call about firearms being discharged."
"By the grace of God no one's been killed," he said.
"It's like this because we don't have a police department," said resident Herbert Reed. "We need someone to come out here and patrol more often."
Reed and the other residents of Norway have been without a police department for almost a year.
It's almost gotten to the point where it's almost lawless," said Reed.
Reed said Orangeburg County Sheriff's deputies patrol the area but not nearly enough. He said the loud music throughout the night, gunfire, speeding, and drug activity make many residents feel unsafe.
"We had a shooting next door about three months ago," said Reed. "They shot up my neighbor's house."
Mayor Preacher and the town council say they're working to reinstate the police force.
"When I took office, we had no employees, no records and we had no money," said Preacher.
Preacher said the former mayor, Cindy Williams, told the Criminal Justice Academy last summer that the police department was disbanded because of a lack of funds.
Preacher admitted there are financial problems, but he said the former mayor overstepped her authority.
"By state law it would have to be disbanded by an ordinance or resolution which would require two council meetings," said Preacher.
Preacher said there are no town records showing the law was followed. WIS reporter Meaghan Norman went to Williams' home but she did not come to the door.
Last month the Department of Public Safety seized the town's bullet proof vests, a Dodge Charger and a gun.
Herbert Reed just wants order restored in town soon.
"It's mostly I think these young kinds," he said. "I think it could get worse because school's out and they won't have anything to do there's very little to do in a rural area around here."
SLED and the Department of Public Safety have not yet responded about the legality of Norway's police force being disbanded and the equipment being seized.
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People in a Norway park flaunt an open container
