Just West of Columbia, you'll find the town of Irmo. The population there is nearly 12,000. It's the home of the Yellow Jackets, home of the Okra Strut and it's home of peaceful living in the shadow of a growing metropolitan area. The small town is looking to avoid big city headaches.
91-year-old Henry Hipps has lived in Irmo for more than four decades.
"I met a young lady here, I stayed here," said Hipps. "And this is where I ended up."
Hipps and his bride Evelyn, who passed away more than 10 years ago, raised two children in the town. The long-time resident says the tight-knit community offers peace of mind.
"Everybody up in here, just about know everybody," said Hipps. "And if you run up to them and tell them they're doing something they shouldn't be doing, they'll listen. They will listen to you."
"If the community feels that this town is safe and a good place to raise their families, then I feel I've been successful," said Irmo Police Chief Brian Buck.
Buck has led his crew of 23 officers for seven years. He says it takes a community effort to make sure the small town, avoids big city crime.
"We try to partner with our community, we try to engage the community in their own safety," said Chief Buck.
That effort has led to a decrease in some of Irmo's crime rates from 1999 to 2009. Robberies went from 12 reported cases in '99, to eight last year. In that 10 year period there have been only two murders in 2004 and 2008.
"I think one homicide every five years on average is probably doing fairly well for a city our size," said Chief Buck.
The down economy has made it hard for Irmo to hire more officers. The department has made only three new hires over the last five years. But Buck says, he's determined to keep Irmo a safe haven.
"We've said from the get-go that law enforcement can't be soley a police function., we have to take care of ourselves," said Chief Buck. "Neighbors have to look out for each other."
Henry Hipps agrees nosey neighbors are the best defense. This great-great grandfather is taking responsibility for his own safety, by investing in a home security system.
"It's a nice place to live, everybody seems to tend to their own business and nobody bother you," said Hipps.
These days, Hipps spends most days happily talking about the days gone by and what tomorrow may bring.
"I've been here all this time and I haven't moved out," said Hipps.
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