Travelers Rest PD, officers recognized for DUI enforcement

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For their efforts to enforce the state’s DUI laws, the Travelers Rest Police Dept. was on Wednesday named an Agency of the Year by the S.C. Dept. of Public Safety.

The Travelers Rest Police Department was recognized as the “Agency of the Year” among agencies with 11 to 25 officers at the 10th Annual DUI Enforcement Recognition and 2014 Law Enforcement DUI Challenge Ceremonies held in Columbia.

In addition to the department's award, three officers received individual "Hero" awards. Officer Jeremy Jones received the "Silver Hero" award (25-49 DUI arrests), and officer Matthew Nodine and former officer Jacob Earls both received "Bronze Hero" awards (10-25 DUI arrests).

"Although our DUI enforcement is a comprehensive effort with contributions from many of the officers and our civilian support staff, Officers Jones and Nodine deserve special recognition for their relentless focus on making the Travelers Rest community a safer place for everyone," said Travelers Rest Police Chief Lance Crowe.

In 2014, the department's 15 officers made a total of 84 DUI arrests as well as conducted 193 checks of area businesses in an attempt to keep them from selling alcohol to individuals under the age of 21.

“The Travelers Rest Police Dept. was not only active in the detection, arrest, and prosecution of DUI violators, but also excelled in conducting checks of area businesses that sell alcohol to make sure that these retailers were not selling product to underage persons," SCDPS officials said.  

The department is also active in teaching the “Alive at 25” to Travelers Rest High School students. The curriculum focuses on teen driving behaviors in the areas of speeding, distracted driving, and DUI.”

In conjunction with winning the agency of the year recognition, the Travelers Rest Police Dept. was awarded a free RADAR unit to be installed in a patrol vehicle. 

On the Web: Travelers Rest Police Dept.

Related on the Tribune: Travelers Rest PD Weekly Crime Reports