Opinions from around South Carolina: Police body cameras, rural roads, higher education

Police cameras

North Charleston was the scene of an appalling cellphone video that understandably went “viral” last month. It showed North Charleston Police Officer Michael Slager fatally shooting Walter Scott, a 50-year-old, unarmed black man who was trying to flee on foot from a traffic stop on April 4.

North Charleston is also the hometown of Tim Scott (no relation), the first black person elected to the U.S. Senate from the South since the 19th century. And Sen. Scott made a strong case for police body cameras Tuesday as the first witness at a hearing of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, chaired by fellow South Carolinian Lindsey Graham.

As Sen. Scott told the panel: “They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Then a video is worth a thousand pictures and untold lives.” …

That means police body cameras in our community, state and nation are a practical investment in restoring trust between law enforcement and all Americans.

Rural roads

In 2014, 12 percent of South Carolina’s rural bridges were rated as structurally deficient, the 19th highest rate in the nation.

In the state’s Secondary (Rural) Roadway System that is federal-aid eligible, 31 percent of roads were rated poor and only 19 percent were in good condition in 2008. That lapsed to 43 percent poor and 20 percent good in 2013, according to Eric Dickey, chairman of the South Carolina Alliance to Fix Our Roads.

“This is compounded by our Secondary (Rural) Roadway System that is non-federal-aid eligible with 33 percent poor and only 14 percent good in 2008 — and lapsed to 50 percent poor and 10 percent good in 2013 …,” Dickey said.

The report reinforces the need for action now.

Higher ed

South Carolina is losing ground when it comes to investing in its future, and it’s happening in a way that doesn’t cause alarms to go off or politicians to get excited. All the same, the consequences will be real and the possibility to reverse course can be slow.

In a country where good jobs require a more educated workforce and the lack of post-high school education can limit a person’s future, too many people in this state aren’t prepared for the jobs needed right now and those that will be needed in decades to come.

… South Carolina has celebrated some significant economic announcements in recent months. It also is staring at some serious needs that must be addressed for this state to remain competitive and its residents to have the opportunity for a bright future. This is the time to invest in higher education so South Carolina doesn’t lose ground in coming years.

▪  “Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.”

▪  “You had better not make a vow than make it and not fulfill it.”