Loris Police receive free patrol car

The Loris Police Department, along with seven other law enforcement agencies across the state were presented with new police vehicles Wednesday to use in their traffic enforcement efforts.

According to a press release, 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 Columbia.

The winning agencies are:
 Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office
 Branchville Police Department
 Lee County Sheriff’s Office
 Travelers Rest Police Department
 Loris Police Department
 Anderson Police Department
 Chester Police Department
 Summerton Police Department
“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 South Carolina law enforcement agencies to increase safety belt use, slow down speeders and reduce impaired and

aggressive driving.

More than 160 agencies participated in the initiative that ran from December 14, 2007 to September 1, 2008.

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:

 Checkpoint trailers and equipment
 Light bars
 VHS in-car camera systems
 Generators and light towers
 Passive alcohol sensors and DUI goggle sets

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.