Lancaster, S.C.-based Springs Memorial Hospital will see more law enforcement around, as city police this week revealed a new substation in the facility's lobby, reports WSOC-TV.
The reveal comes as patients and hospital staff expressed safety concerns. SMH lockdowns have occurred an average of once per week in 2017, with the most recent occurring after an overnight shooting incident near the hospital, according to the report. In at least some of these instances, shooting victims have come to the hospital's emergency room.
The police substation at SMH came about after the hospital's CEO, Janice Dabney, "approached police, concerned about safety and wanting a greater police presence on the west side of the city," reports WSOC-TV.
Through the effort, law enforcement and SMH hope to prevent any serious incidents at SMH or on the campus, the report states. Police told the television station they plan to staff the substation as often as they can.