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A Gift to Five Points and Our City
September 4, 2009
A few months ago Wales Garden neighborhood resident Carey Shealy, owner of Statewide Security Systems (SSS), contacted me to discuss his interest in making a special gift to Five Points and our City. Today Carey and his daughter Elizabeth joined representatives of the Five Points Association, the Columbia Police Department, neighborhood representatives, and City staff and officials to announce his donation of state-of-the-art, high technology security cameras and call boxes for the Five Points village. While the presence of cameras won't necessarily prevent an actual crime from being committed, it will greatly enhance the likelihood that the criminals will be caught. The new call boxes, wired to the Columbia “911” dispatch, will provide an immediate contact to police and emergency services.
Like many residents in the neighborhoods surrounding this unique retail and hospitality village, Carey and his family have family roots in Five Points. Part of the Shealy family tradition over the years has been the routine walk to Five Points for ice cream or dinner. A security camera business owner and specialist, Carey brings firsthand knowledge of the great potential of new technology to law enforcement. He has worked closely with our city staff to implement what will now be 24/7 camera coverage linked to the Columbia Police Department.
Our City is indeed fortunate to have business leaders and neighborhood residents like Carey Shealy, who recognize a city need and step forward to address it. His gift will provide our Police officers with important new tools in law enforcement and crime detection. In these days of strained budgets, Carey's gift truly is the gift that will keep giving! Read WIS TV's coverage of the press conference here.