PRESS RELEASE
December 23, 2014
FCSO Announces DDACTS Locations
In June of 2014, Florence County Sheriff’s Office announced the adoption of “Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety” (DDACTS). DDACTS is an operational enforcement model which utilized the integration of location-based crime and traffic crash data to establish effective and efficient methods for deploying law enforcement resources. The goal of DDACTS is to reduce the incidence of crime and vehicle crashes in targeted areas and thereby reduce overall social harm.
We know that there is a clear correlation between vehicle crashes and incidents of crime. Motor vehicles are often used to transport criminals to and from a crime scene, and it not uncommon for those vehicles to be involved in traffic violations or crashed during the process. High visibility enforcement of traffic regulations and officer presence in a particular area serve as deterrents, affecting both driving behavior and criminal activity.
Unlike some other models of enforcement, DDACTS is an open and transparent process which involves not just law enforcement, but neighborhood watch organizations, homeowner’s associations, businesses in the area and the media. Areas selected for high visibility enforcement are objectively chosen and publicized. Another goal of DDACTS is to build stronger relationships with stakeholders and other partners in the community. The DDACTS model has been approved for use by the United States Department of Justice.
Since its launch in Florence County in June, 2014 we have seen reductions in both crime and vehicle crashes in many of the designated areas known as “hot spot.” The designated enforcement areas for high visibility enforcement in December are as follows:
• Second Loop-Third Loop-Cashua Drive Area, Mayfair Terrace, Rosedale Street, Patton Drive, Chadwick Subdivision;
• Howe Spings Road & Pamplico Highway, Hewitt and Brandonwoods Subdivision;
• Howe Springs Road, Tara Village Subdivision and Southern Pines;
• S. Morris Street in Lake City, SC.
Residents and motorists in these areas can expect to see a high visibility enforcement presence of FCSO officers during the month of December with both marked and unmarked units running rear blue lights even when not on a traffic stop. In addition, routine citizen encounters in the areas will be increased.
Florence County Sheriff’s Office is the first Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina to implement DDACTS as an enforcement model.
END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
