The presence and influence of gangs in South Carolina is growing, according to SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd.
Speaking to the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Lloyd said the state's 1895 criminal justice system is "overburdened and on the verge of collapse," as it deals with ceiminals from arrest trhrough the system to parole.
"Per capita, we are the most violent state in the union," he told senators, as as the state is constantly at or near the top of statistics in gun deaths, criminal sexual assault, and criminal domestic violence.
"We've been that way for a very long time," Lloyd said.
Under questioning from Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, Lloyd said he would be willing to meet with a wide range of stakeholders to help get pending legislation approved that could help reduce crime in South Carolina.