South Carolina Department of Public
Safety_______
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2008
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, (803) 896-8409 or BEVERLY
HARRIS, (803) 896-9958
(
The SC
Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) awarded the eight Dodge Charger police
vehicles to agencies that excelled in a nine-month long traffic enforcement
initiative. The agencies were awarded the cars during the Law Enforcement
Challenge Recognition Ceremony held at Seawell’s in
The winning
agencies are:
“Because
these vehicles will be used strictly for traffic enforcement, the communities
that these agencies serve are the true winners,” said SCDPS Director Mark Keel.
“High-visibility patrols are instrumental in reducing traffic collisions, which
in turn saves lives.”
The Law
Enforcement Challenge that led up to the vehicle presentations is a unique
incentive program designed by SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety (OHS) to award
outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education.
The Law
Enforcement Challenge Recognition Ceremony honored the dedication of
To be
eligible to win a car, law enforcement agencies had to participate in the
traffic enforcement activities of their Law Enforcement Networks (LENs). LENs
were selected based on several criteria, including the level of participation
among the agencies in each network and the effect enforcement had on traffic
statistics. Participating agencies in the selected LENs were then qualified to
enter random drawings at the ceremony for one of the eight cars.
In addition
to the vehicles, incentive items were awarded to all agencies that participated
in the traffic enforcement initiative. The items are:
Agencies were able to select the item they needed
prior to the ceremony.
“During
these tough economic times, participation in this initiative makes sense because
it is a way for financially strapped law enforcement agencies to get the
equipment they need without tapping local budgets,” Keel said. “More
importantly, participation in this Law Enforcement Challenge can have a profound
effect on lowering the numbers of traffic deaths around the state. That’s the
biggest benefit.”
The Highway Patrol and State Transport Police,
both divisions of SCDPS, also received incentive items. The Highway Patrol
received a generator and light tower for eight troops and the State Transport
Police received light bars with sirens for its seven districts.
The Dodge
Chargers and other equipment were purchased with federal grant funds
administered by the OHS to assist in traffic enforcement efforts. Next year, OHS
plans to award up to 16 cars and two SUVs – all fully equipped with police
packages. To qualify to win a car, agencies must participate in a traffic
initiative that focuses on DUI enforcement. The 2009 Law Enforcement DUI
Challenge kicked off December 1 and runs through September 7, 2009.