INFORMATION Public Safety

Whether a native or a newcomer, knowing the law of any new land is vital to fully integrating into the community. To keep you well-acquainted with the law-abiding faces that serve and protect Sumter, get to know your public safety agencies.

Sumter Police Department

Located at 335 Lafayette Drive

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2700

• Police Chief Russell Roark

• Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Jackson

• Responds to calls for businesses, venues and neighborhoods within the city limits

• Hosts community events including Black History Art/Essay Contest in February, National Night Out and Halloween-themed events in October, Cram-A-Cruiser during Christmas and more throughout the year.

• To report a crime, call the emergency or non-emergency number, file a report in person with the Citizen’s Assistance Unit in the headquarters’ front lobby or visit sumterpd.com/contact

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

Located at 1281 N. Main St.

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2774

• Sheriff Anthony Dennis

• Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner

• Responds to calls within the Sumter County limits including zip codes 29040, 29150, 29151, 29153 and 29154

• Hosts Community Relations Advisory Board meetings to maintain a positive and interactive rapport with citizens and increase public confidence in law enforcement and public safety matters in the community; Citizen’s Academy, a free six-week course where attendees get behind-the-scenes look at four weeks of police academy training; and holiday-themed and awareness community events

• To report a crime, call the sheriff’s office at (803) 436-2000 or call 911

Sumter County Emergency Medical Services

Located at 131 E. Hampton Ave.

Non-emergency phone: (803) 436-2415

• EMS Director Kent Hall

• Established in 1969 out of the Tuomey Regional Medical Center; taken over by county government in 1997

• Responds to ~ 22,000 calls for service and transports ~ 18,000 people annually

• Operates seven ambulances daily, two quick-response vehicles and two additional contract ambulances through Guidance Ambulance

• Two substations in the county:

• Medic 2 located at 3231 Frierson Road in Dalzell; responds to Dalzell, Rembert, Cherryvale and parts of Wedgefield communities

• Medic 6 located at 10565 Douglas Swamp Road in Lynchburg; responds to Shiloh, Lynchburg, Mayesville and Olanta communities

Sumter Animal Control

Located at 1240 Winkles Road

• Primary role is to limit number of stray animals on the streets

• Responds to calls of vicious animals running at large, dog or cat bites and nuisance animals

• To report:

• Animal running at large and nuisance animals, call (803) 436-2066

• Animal bites or and suspected cruelty or neglect, call (803) 436-2775

• Suspected dog fighting, call the Narcotics Division at (803) 436-2759

Sumter Fire Department and sub fire stations

Headquarters are located at 315 Lafayette Drive

Phone: (803) 436-2600

• Chief Karl Ford

• Assistant Chief Ernie Dollard (city operations)

• Assistant Chief Brian Christmas (county operations)

• Five full-time fire stations

• 17 volunteer substations throughout the county

In case of an emergency, call 911.